Beximco Pharma begins exporting to Canada

Beximco Pharmaceuticals Limited has started exporting to Canada an ophthalmic product, Olopatadine, used in treating symptoms of eye allergies. The fast-growing manufacturer of generic pharmaceutical products made the announcement yesterday. Following the approval of Health Canada, the Olopatadine export kicked in – the first of any kind of pharmaceutical product in the North American country from Bangladesh. According to the IMS data, the current market size for Olopatadine eye drops including all strengths in Canada is $14 million. The first consignment was delivered on September 16 and the product will be distributed through the company’s existing partners in Canada. Beximco Pharma’s second prescription product for the Canadian market is currently under evaluation by Health Canada, with approval being expected by the first quarter of 2018. There are also a number of products in the R&D pipeline which the company expects to file in Canada. Beximco Pharma Managing Director Nazmul Hassan said: “Following the successful launch of our first product in the US last year, the entry into the Canadian pharmaceutical market is a significant step forward in strengthening our presence in North America.” This is the first time a pharmaceutical product manufactured in Bangladesh, notably a sterile ophthalmic product, has been exported to Canada, he added. “The launch of our second product in North America is another validation of our strength in offering specialised generic products in a global setting.” Beximco Pharma’s ophthalmic unit is the only such facility in Bangladesh to be approved by the regulatory authorities of Europe, Australia and Canada. The company currently has global footprint in more than 50 countries.