Dexa Group is one of the pharmaceutical companies that take part in Business Matching activities organized by the Ministry of Industry to maximize the purchase of domestic products. The event, which took place on the 22nd until 24th of March 2022 in Nusa Dua, Bali, continued the Bangga Buatan Indonesia (BBI) movement, which aims to increase the use of domestic products.

Mr. Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, Minister of Industry, stated that his party aims to achieve an 80 percent achievement value of using domestic products to procure goods and services. “We expect the same commitment from other mandatory users of domestic products to set targets for domestic products’ use,” said Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita on Tuesday (22/3) at the Business Matching Belanja Dalam Negeri 2022 event in Nusa Dua Bali.

Regarding the pharmaceutical industry’s participation in Business Matching, the Minister of Industry added that the event, as a government initiative step, will create an economic domino effect for SMEs, farmers, and herbal raw material traders. “If every economic activity has a multiplier effect on SMEs, the national economy will benefit greatly,” said the Minister of Industry.

Mr. Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment said the same thing. “The central government’s budget, particularly for goods and capital expenditures through the State Budget of 2022, is Rp538.9 trillion. The budget can be used for as much domestic product spending as possible, excluding local government spending. It is hoped that this effort will have a multiplier effect, with benefits for the country’s industrial progress and economic growth and Small and Medium Enterprises, “He stated.

Meanwhile, The Director of the Ministry of Industry’s Center for Increasing the Use of Domestic Production (P3DN), Mrs. Nila Kumalasari, stated her optimism that this effort would enhance the government’s purchase and use of domestic products agencies. “Through this Business Matching, local industry players or SMEs, IKM, and Artisans would receive market guarantees, allowing them to prepare their production to suit the government’s market needs,” she explained.

President Director of PT Dexa Medica Mr. V. Hery Sutanto praised the government for its efforts in the Bangga Buatan Indonesia program, followed by Business Matching.

“The government has done very beneficial in promoting the pharmaceutical industry’s readiness to produce domestic goods with high TKDN. The possibility for domestic market expenditure for pharmaceutical product needs is greatly expanded due to this business matching. The central and regional government’s commitment to purchase domestic pharmaceutical products with high TKDN is expected to be a revival of national pharmaceutical independence. It is hoped to affect the industry and the fostered partners of farmers who cultivate raw crops materials through Indonesian Indigeneous Modern Medicine products by Dexa Group,” Mr. V. Hery stated.

Meanwhile, President Director of PT Ferron Par Pharmaceuticals, Mr. Krestijanto Pandji, stated that according to Ministry of Health records, only four drugs could be produced domestically from the consumption of the ten most significant domestic drug molecules. It is namely Paracetamol, Clopidogrel, Omeprazole, and Atorvastatin. Meanwhile, Cefixime, Amlodipine, Candesartan Cilexetil, Bisoprolol, Lansoprazole, and Ceftriaxone cannot be manufactured domestically.

“PT Ferron Par Pharmaceuticals have manufactured Omeprazole, one of the therapeutic compounds proposed by the Ministry of Health. We encourage increasing the high TKDN of other pharmaceutical firms that make fully completed pharmaceuticals products based on Omeprazole by producing Omeprazole domestically. This industry’s initiatives to speed up the independence of the National Pharmaceuticals, which is receiving constant government support,” Mr. Krestijanto noted.

Indonesian Indigenous Modern Medicine made by Dexa Group is a product with a high TKDN because the raw materials, raw material manufacturers, researchers, and the research, development, and distribution processes all originate in Indonesia. Dexa Group produces 63% of IIMM phytopharmaca products from 57 phytopharmaca items recognized in the POM Agency’s Marketing Permit Number (NIE). Meanwhile, Dexa Group’s Standardized Herbal Medicines (OHT) accounted for 26% of the POM Agency’s 125 NIE.

Director of Research and Business Development of PT Dexa Medica Dr. Raymond Tjandrawinata stated that the downstream of OMAI as a product with a high TKDN, some even reaching 90%. It has the potential to become a substitute for imported medicinal raw materials for specific drug categories. OMAI products by Dexa Group are being supplied to nations such as the Philippines, Cambodia, Nigeria, and Myanmar.

“If the government continues to stimulate the downstream of OMAI, industry and researchers will compete to research, develop, and produce Indonesian natural raw materials into medicinal raw materials. It will result in a more advanced OMAI industry and national pharmaceutical independence. Indonesia’s abundant natural biodiversity can be utilized for pharmaceutical raw materials. In that case, our concerns about the raw material supply chain and the high import of medicinal raw materials will be alleviated, “Dr. Raymond elaborated.