Inauguration of the DGDA automated drug licensing and renewal system

The DGDA wanted to streamline the retail drug outlet licensing and renewal process to better track licensing status and to make the process easier for applicants, so BHB hired an information technology firm to develop software to automate the system. For several months, the system underwent many reviews and received feedback and was piloted under real-world circumstances in the Mirpur and Gulshan areas of Dhaka city for more than two months. Finally, the Honorable Health Minister of Bangladesh formally launched the automated drug licensing and renewal system on November 18, 2021, which is now available for retail drug outlets to submit their drug license and renewal applications. On the Director General DGDA’s advice, BHB started a formal training program for DGDA assistant directors and superintendents of drugs at headquarters and the district level on how to use the system. These staff review and process the applications before DGDA approves any new or renewed drug license.