The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) is implementing a range of reform measures to strengthen the resilience, efficiency, and equity of the health system in line with the recommendations of the Health Reform Commission (2025). These reforms aim to align Bangladesh’s health system with the principles of equity, participation, and accountability, ensuring that health is realized as both a constitutional right and a public good. In this regard, the Ministry has prepared a comprehensive proposal titled “Health Sector Transformation in Bangladesh”, outlining the strategic priorities, implementation modalities, and expected outcomes of the reform agenda. The proposal emphasizes eight key strategic areas including governance and institutional reform, primary healthcare restructuring, workforce planning, financial sustainability, digital transformation, medicine regulation, documentation of transition strategies, and stakeholder communication. The Ministry seeks the technical and strategic partnership of the World Health Organization (WHO) to support the implementation of these reform initiatives.
A well-structured and transparent career pathway is critical for improving motivation, retention, and performance of the health workforce. In Bangladesh, the health workforce comprises various cadres including doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives, technologists, and public health professionals who play vital roles in service delivery. However, limited opportunities for career advancement, unclear promotion criteria, and lack of standardized progression frameworks have been identified as major factors contributing to job dissatisfaction and attrition, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
To address these challenges, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW), with technical support from the World Health Organization (WHO), intends to develop career pathways for key health worker cadres. These pathways will outline structured progression routes, competency requirements, promotion criteria, and professional development options aligned with national HRH policies and global best practices.
The purpose of this consultancy is to develop a comprehensive concept paper outlining the establishment of a community pharmacy network in Bangladesh. The paper should incorporate best practices from regional models, tailored to the local context, to ensure effective implementation and sustainability.
Objectives of the Assignment
To review the existing situation of the current landscape of community pharmacies in Bangladesh, including distribution, regulatory frameworks, and service offerings.
Propose a concept on the structure of the Pharmacy network in Bangladesh, including capacity building, regulatory, and accreditation systems to ensure quality standards and compliance within the network.
The consultant will undertake the following tasks:
Situational Analysis:
current landscape of community pharmacies in Bangladesh, including distribution, regulatory frameworks, and service offerings.
Identify operational challenges such as inventory management, supply chain issues, and regulatory compliance.
Assess the current regulatory framework governing community pharmacies.
Literature Review:
Conduct a review of existing community pharmacy models in the region to draw good practices.
Analyze the applicability of these models to the Bangladeshi context, considering socio-economic and infrastructural factors.
Model Development:
Design a community pharmacy network model suitable for Bangladesh, incorporating lessons learned from regional experiences.
Develop a phased implementation strategy, prioritizing regions based on need and feasibility.
Standards and Regulatory Recommendations, including monitoring:
Good Pharmacy Practice Standards for the Participating Pharmacies
Propose an accreditation and regulatory framework to ensure the quality and safety of services within the network, and a comprehensive framework for monitoring.
The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Health Services Division (MoHFW) and the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), in close coordination with the Special Assistant and his team, as well as the WHO Country Office (Team Lead – Health Systems and Technical Officer, EDM. Regular progress updates and deliverables will be reviewed jointly.
Training Framework:
Develop a training and capacity-building plan for pharmacy personnel.
Expected Deliverables:
S.No.
Activities
Deliverables
Timeline
1
Situational Assessment and Data Collection –
Conduct desk review, field consultations, and analysis of the existing status of community pharmacies, service coverage, licensing, and regulatory oversight mechanisms.
Situational Analysis Report –
Comprehensive assessment of the current state of community pharmacies in Bangladesh, including service gaps, compliance issues, and opportunities for strengthening.
Day 1–8
2
Design of Community Pharmacy Network Model –
Develop a detailed concept paper outlining the proposed community pharmacy network model, covering regulatory frameworks, service standards, integration with primary healthcare, and implementation strategies.
Concept Paper –
Structured document proposing the community pharmacy network model, including governance structure, operational mechanisms, and regulatory requirements.
Day 9–15
3
Capacity-Building Framework Development –
Prepare a structured plan for the training and professional development of pharmacy personnel to support the implementation of the network.
Training Plan –
Comprehensive plan for capacity building of pharmacy staff, including curriculum outline, training modalities, and institutional delivery arrangements.
Day 16–20
