The development of herbal medicines in Indonesia has made remarkable progress in recent years. Advances in science and technology have enabled herbal products to meet safety, efficacy, and quality standards. It is therefore unsurprising that the World Health Organization, through the International Regulatory Cooperation for Herbal Medicines (WHO–IRCH), commended Indonesia for its commitment and leadership in advancing internationally standardized herbal medicines. However, public concern has grown over herbal products that lack scientific standardization and the circulation of unregistered herbal remedies.
Responding to this issue, Professor Nanang Fakhrudin from the UGM Faculty of Pharmacy, stated that Indonesia has significant strategic potential to become a center for an internationally recognized herbal medicine industry. With rich biodiversity on land and at sea, he believes Indonesia possesses strong foundations to develop globally competitive herbal products.
“Our long tradition of using jamu, combined with scientific research advancements and modern extraction technologies, provides a solid basis for developing herbal products that can compete internationally,” he said on Tuesday (Nov. 11).
Professor Fakhrudin explained that Indonesia’s herbal medicine industry has produced numerous innovations from empirically based jamu and Standardized Herbal Medicines (OHT) to clinically tested phytopharmaceuticals.
These innovations have emerged from collaborations between universities and research institutions to address various health indications, including immunity enhancement, diabetes management, liver health, and joint disorders.
“These products are not only marketed nationally but have also reached global markets,” he said.
Nevertheless, Professor Fakhrudin emphasized that the development of herbal medicines in Indonesia still faces several challenges. One major issue is the availability of raw materials that are not fully standardized, with many industry players still relying on wild plants that have not been cultivated using good agricultural practices.
He also expressed concern about the lack of synergy among research institutions, industry, and the healthcare sector, which often limits the commercialization of research findings.
“Acceptance of herbal medicines among medical practitioners remains low, and because herbal products are not yet covered by the national health insurance system, trust and adoption among doctors and healthcare workers remain limited,” he explained.
He added that the scientific validation and clinical testing processes necessary to prove product effectiveness and safety require substantial investment and extended timelines. These constraints pose significant challenges for small and medium-sized enterprises seeking to compete nationally.
“The scientific validation and clinical testing processes demand large investments and long periods of time, making them difficult for smaller industry players,” he noted.
Professor Fakhrudin stated that efforts to advance the herbal medicine industry should begin with government support through policies and regulatory simplification to facilitate market entry.
Cross-sector collaboration is essential, from the Ministry of Agriculture, which develops standardized cultivation materials, to healthcare professionals who transform herbal plants into scientifically validated herbal medicines beneficial to society.
According to him, strong collaboration among the government, pharmaceutical experts, and the community is crucial to building an innovation ecosystem for herbal medicines from upstream to downstream.
Responding to WHO’s recognition, he noted that this moment presents a valuable opportunity for Indonesia’s herbal medicine industry to further enhance quality and ensure product reliability. He hopes the recognition will encourage the industry to grow stronger and gain wider public trust.
“Ideally, Indonesian herbal products will have a strong scientific foundation, be trusted by doctors and other healthcare professionals, and be used by the public with assured efficacy and safety,” he concluded.
Author: Cyntia Noviana
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Salma
Illustration: Freepik