Eskayef, Novo Nordisk begin local production of insulin cartridges

Eskayef Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and Novo Nordisk on Tuesday announced the start of local production of modern insulin cartridges in Bangladesh through technology transfer from Denmark.

The initiative will see cartridges, including NovoMix and NovoRapid, produced locally under a contract manufacturing arrangement, aiming to improve availability and reduce costs for diabetes patients, according to a press release.

Officials said premix and rapid-acting insulin cartridges would be manufactured in Bangladesh using Novo Nordisk’s global technology, with each batch verified in Denmark to maintain quality standards.

Health ministry representative Sardar Shakhawat Hossain Bokul said the move would support access to essential medicines and strengthen the country’s biopharmaceutical capacity.

Directorate General of Drug Administration official Md Shameem Haidar said the initiative aligns with requirements for quality, safety and efficacy of complex biologic products.

Novo Nordisk Bangladesh Managing Director Riad Mamun Prodhani said the company is also implementing an 18 per cent price reduction for the insulin products.

Bangladesh has nearly 13 million people living with diabetes, a number projected to rise significantly by 2045, highlighting the need for affordable treatment.