It's Sad! This Is Proof That The Republic Of Indonesia Is Still Depending On Importing Drug Baku Materials

Acting (Plt) Director General of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Textile Industries of the Ministry of Industry Reni Yanita (Photo: Ministry of Industry)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin) admits that Indonesia is still dependent on imports for national medicinal raw materials (BBO). It was recorded that during 2018-2022 the import value for BBO continued to increase.

Acting (Plt) Director General of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Textile Industries of the Ministry of Industry Reni Yanita said the highest imports for national BBOs occurred in 2022, which was 35,890 tons.

"So, from 2018 to 2023 our import data showed that in 2018 to 2019 (there was) a decline. However, the increase was quite high in 2022. In 2022, overall imports of BBO reached 35.890 tons with a value of 509 million US dollars," said Reni in a Hearing Meeting (RDP) with Commission VII DPR RI at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Tuesday, July 9.

Based on the data presented, the trend of BBO imports has continued to increase over the last five years or from 2018 to 2022. In detail, in 2018 the total import of BBO reached 27,304 tons with a value of 332 million US dollars, in 2019 it decreased to 27,050 tons or the equivalent of 294 million US dollars.

Then, in 2020, it jumped again at 29,429 tons or 312 million US dollars. Then, in 2021 it increased again to 34,770 tons with a total value of 443 million US dollars. Meanwhile, in 2022 it reached the highest import figure, namely 35,890 tons or 509 million US dollars.

"Then in 2023, it was corrected again compared to the previous year. So, for the last five years, the trend of BBO imports has continued to increase," he said.

Reni added that there are three main countries that import national BBO in 2022, namely, China, India and the United States.

"As for the top three import countries in 2022 from China 45 percent, then India 27 percent and the United States 8 percent. In 2022, China will occupy the highest proportion of imported countries," he said.

According to Reni, there are three challenges faced by Indonesia related to technology and the capability of human resources (HR) for the development of BBO.

First, BBO's technology and route of synthesis significantly determine the design of the BBO production facility. "Although the same results as different synthesis lines, it will require different designs and facilities," explained Reni.

Second, the production and development process of BBO requires different human resources competencies. The pharmaceutical industry for formulation requires the competence of pharmaceutical experts, but BBO requires a chemical (Chemist) collaboration, chemical engineering (Chemical Engineer) and Pharmacist (Pharmacist).

"Waste as a side product in the BBO industry, the output is greater than the core product BBO. Thus, it requires special handling at high costs," he said.