Commemorating World Cancer Day, Etana Encourages The Development Of Cancer Treatment In Indonesia

Photo: Special

JAKARTA - In commemorating World Cancer Day, Indonesia continues to experience an increase in the development of cancer treatment in the country. PT Etana Biotechnologies Indonesia (Etana), as an original Indonesian biopharmaceutical company, plays an important role in the development of cancer treatment in Indonesia by developing cancer-targeted therapeutic products.

"We are developing and processing in producing local target therapeutic products for better and more affordable cancer management. Etana is working with global companies in its development," said Randy Stevian, Business Development Therapeutic Director of Etana, in his official statement, quoted Monday, February 5.

Randy explained, targeted therapeutic products are developed, there are drugs that are specifically used to target cancer cells so they cannot grow or make an immune response to help destroy cancer cells. It is known, in the treatment of cancer there are several types such as chemotherapy, target therapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, and others.

"The target is limited to the treatment of chemotherapy which not only kills cancer cells, but also kills healthy cells in the body, causing severe side effects such as hair loss, infection, nausea, vomiting, infection, and easy bleeding," he added.

Then, Randy revealed that target therapy has many benefits for patients, because the system is directly focused on cancer cells, cancer patients will experience lower side effects than chemotherapy.

"However, some target therapy is still combined with chemotherapy drugs so that it can slow down disease progression and increase life expectancy," he continued.

In addition, Randy said, Etana is also actively collaborating with the government in this regard regarding the production of local medicines. Then also collaborating with educational institutions, research institutions to play an active role in conducting biotechnology-based research that has more benefits for patients in Indonesia.

"Our main challenge is that our human resources (HR), because there are still not many people who experience or experience in the biophharmaceutical industry. So to overcome these challenges, Etana sends employees to study abroad to gain knowledge and experience," he said.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Indonesian Oncology Association (POI) Jakarta Raya Branch, Dr. Ikhwan Rinaldi, supports pharmaceutical companies in Indonesia, including Etana, to produce domestic cancer drugs.

"We are very happy, because the production of cancer drugs in Indonesia will certainly make the price cheaper and more affordable for the people of Indonesia. We are very supportive of that," he concluded.

It is known, Etana is actively collaborating with the Indonesian Oncology Association (POI) on World Cancer Day which is celebrated every February 4. Collaboration is carried out in the form of interactive education with the public to live a healthy life, prevent cancer, and actively support early detection of cancer.