WHO Appreciates Indonesia's Innovation In Developing Modern Herbal Medicine

JAKARTA - In recent years, global trends towards the use of natural ingredients in the pharmaceutical industry have increased rapidly, along with the push towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly health system.

In Indonesia, various studies and innovations continue to be carried out to bridge local wisdom with a modern scientific approach so that herbal products can meet international quality and safety standards.

Through this approach, traditional plant-based medicine and natural ingredients are not only seen from a cultural perspective, but also from its economic potential to support an independent and sustainable national health system.

In that context, Indonesia was in the spotlight when the delegation of the World Health Organization (WHO) together with the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency of the Republic of Indonesia (BPOM) visited one of the national herbal medicine research and production facilities, such as Kalbe Group, PT Bintang Toedjoe.

The visit was part of The Sixth Annual Meeting of the WHO' International Regulatory Cooperation for Herbal Medicines (WHOIRC) in Jakarta, which aims to strengthen international cooperation in the field of regulation and development of herbal medicines.

"This visit is an important part of the development and standardization of natural medicines based on scientific research. We are also committed to carrying out production practices that meet national and international standards. All of our facilities have been certified as CPOBAB (How to Manufacturing Good Natural Medicines), ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001," said President Director of PT Kalbe Farma Tbk, Irawati Setiady in a press statement from Bintang Toedjoe to VOI.

Furthermore, Irawati stated that the synergy between governments, industries, research institutions, academics, and international organizations such as WHO is the key to building a better health future.

Through the support of national and global regulatory institutions, he hopes that the quality assurance system and scientific research in the herbal field can continue to be strengthened to produce products that are safe, effective, and sustainable.

Irawati also emphasized the importance of implementing Good Manufacturing Practice for Herbal Medicine (GMP) or CPOBAB/CPOTB, which is the basis for every natural medicinal production process in Indonesia.

"WHO'IRC plays a global platform to strengthen collaboration and regulatory convergence in the field of herbal medicine. We really appreciate Indonesia's leadership and its industrial commitment, especially PT Bintang Toedjoe, in advancing high-quality herbal medicinal products," said WHO Head. .IRCH, Dr. Kim Sungchol.

Appreciation was also conveyed by the Deputy for Supervision of Traditional Medicines, Health Supplements, and BPOM Cosmetics, Apt. Mohamad Kashuri, S.S., M. Farm. He assessed that the efforts made by the national herbal industry have created an ecosystem involving farmers, academics, and the private sector to utilize local materials such as red ginger.

"We express our appreciation to PT Bintang Toedjoe for the breakthrough in building a comprehensive red ginger ecosystem, featuring native Indonesian herbal commodities. This initiative involves active collaboration between farmers, the private sector, educational institutions, and government agencies. The company has succeeded in developing innovative red ginger-based products which have now been marketed globally," said Kashuri.

He also emphasized the important role of WHO'IRC in strengthening the capacity of national regulatory authorities, in order to ensure the quality, safety, and efficacy of herbal medicines while at the same time encouraging scientific evidence-based integration into the national health system.

On the same occasion, the President Director of PT Bintang Toedjoe, Fanny Kurniati, said that her party is committed to developing science-based herbal research to maintain product quality and sustainability.

"Respect for us to be able to receive WHO'IRCH and BPOM visits. This recognition is clear evidence of our commitment to remain consistent in maintaining the highest standards in regulation, quality, and sustainable innovation for the advancement of the national herbal medicine industry," he concluded.

He added, through the spirit of From Nature to Science, the development of scientific research-based products continues to be carried out so that Indonesian natural materials can be globally competitive.

WHO itself assesses that Indonesia's biodiversity potential is very strategic in supporting the concept of Local Wisdom for Global Health, namely the use of local raw materials for the development of herbal products that meet world quality and safety standards.