As high as 90% raw drug materials are still imported. This has caused a deficit in the Indonesia’s trade balance. The statement was made by Director General for Chemical, Textile and Miscellanious Industry (IKTA) in the Industry Ministry, Achmad Sigit. D., during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding agreement of Development of Paracetamols Raw Material between UGM and PT. Kimia Farma, on Thursday (21/7) at Universitas Gadjah Mada. According to Achmad, the needs for drugs are expected to increase along with the commitment of the government to continue with the Health Insurance programme.
“It is projected that the need for drugs will increase in the next five years,” said Achmad.
Achmad added the ministry would support the follow-up to the agreement signing, whether in terms of regulation or infrastructure.
President Director of PT. Kimia Farma, Rusdi Rosman, appreciated UGM researchers who would conduct research into paracetamol raw materials. Kimia Farma are ready to assist in terms of production and marketing. Rusdi described that the need for paracetamols in Indonesia reaches as high as 4,500 tonnes per year.
“Paracetamols are indeed consumed the most in the country, but to date we have been unable to produce the raw materials. Hopefully, the efforts to be made by UGM researchers will be a success,” Rusdi expected.
Rector of UGM, Prof. Ir. Dwikorita Karnawati, M.Sc., Ph.D., said previously UGM had cooperated with Kimia Farma in the marketing of Gama CHA product. The Rector asserted that the cooperation reconfirmed the position of UGM as a research university that prioritises the socioentrepreneur spirit.
“Now we have to try that the UGM research and innovation can go downstream to society, government, and industry,” said Dwikorita.