Essential Drugs

Essential Drugs Company Limited (EDCL) is a 100% state-owned pharmaceutical company in Bangladesh. In 1962, it operated under the name and manner of Government Pharmaceuticals Laboratory (GPL) under the leadership of the then central government. Subsequently, it was renamed Pharmaceuticals Production Unit (PPU) in 1979. For public health and the smooth operation of this organization, the company was registered as a public limited company under the Companies Act of 1994. The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare of Bangladesh is its controlling authority. Established in 1983, the company's main objective was to build an advanced pharmaceutical industry in the country for local production of medicines and to supply these products domestically for public health and for export.