YOGYAKARTA- Pharmaceutical industry in Indonesia is still left behind compared to the progress of pharmaceutical industry abroad. One of the causes is that many chemical and biotechnology-based researches at university have not been developed on industrial scale. In addition, many synthetic materials for chemical drugs are still imported from abroad.
"We still import nearly 90% materials of synthetic chemical drugs and this becomes a constraint. In addition, many chemical and biotechnology-based researches are still limited to the scale of higher education and have not been developed in industries," Director of PT.Kimia Farma (Persero) Tbk, Syamsul Arifin, said in his speech after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with UGM Rector, Prof. Ir. Sudjarwadi, M.Eng, Ph.D., in UGM Leadership meeting room on Friday (16/12).
Syamsul admitted from year to year the development of drugs in Indonesia has grown rapidly ranging from herbal-based medicine, chemistry, biotechnology to stem cells. In order not to lag with the development of science and technology, PT. Kimia Farma, according to Syamsul, also keeps abreast of developments and progress of the pharmaceutical industry in the world. In fact, it has been exporting quinine to several countries as modern malaria drugs.
"If we see the cycle, malaria may re-occur so that we develop quinine and even export it," Syamsul explained.
With the cooperation with UGM, Syamsul hoped there will be more researches related to chemicals and medicines that could be developed in the industrial world that will give benefit to community.
Meanwhile, the Rector in his speech welcomed the cooperation with PT. Kimia Farma Tbk. Health problems, according to Sudjarwadi, will always be important as the increasing number of people in the world. With this cooperation, UGM will be better In the future in providing services, including in health sector.
"For example, in year 2050, the health issues become very important due to the increasing world population. UGM expects to provide better services to the community, including in health," Sudjarwadi said.
After the signing of Memorandum of Understanding, the event continued with exchange of souvenirs and hospitality. Attending the event were Senior Vice Rector for Academic, Research and Community Service, Prof. Dr. Retno Sunarminingsih, Apt., M.Sc., Head of Institute for Research and Community Service, Prof. Dr. Techn. Ir. Danang Parikesit, M.Sc., lecturer of UGM Pharmacy Faculty, Prof. Dr. Edy Meiyanto, M.Sc., Apt., and lecturer of UGM Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Ir. Edy Tontowi Alva, M.Sc., Ph.D.