Antimicrobial resistance is a condition that often goes undetected, but slowly threatens the sustainability of effective treatment for various infectious diseases, currently the condition of national antimicrobial resistance in Indonesia cannot be adequately demonstrated. However, comprehensive cooperation from various health sectors is needed so that the existing conditions do not worsen.

In order to habituate the healthy living movement in the community and to increase the knowledge, awareness, concern, and skills of the community about the rational use of drugs, the smart drug use program in the community is called GeMa CerMat: Gerakan Masyarakat Cerdas Menggunakan Obat was launched by the Minister of Health in 2015 by involving Agents of Change (AoC). GeMa CerMat AoCs are health workers, especially pharmacists, who have the commitment and ability to implement education and community empowerment programs to improve the rational use of medicines within the GeMa CerMat framework.

Held in Gunung Kidul Regency, D.I. Yogyakarta, on June 13-16, 2023, the Directorate General of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices in collaboration with WHO Representative Indonesia, held a National Workshop on Optimizing the Role of Agent of Change Pharmacists with a specific theme, namely Antimicrobial Resistance Prevention.

The event, which was opened by the Director General of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices, L. Rizka Andalusia, was attended by the Head of the Health Office of Yogyakarta Province and 63 selected AoC Pharmacists.

In his remarks, he advised that the implementation of this activity could provide an increase in the ability of AoC in providing education to the community and continue to have the commitment and ability to influence the behavior of the community and health workers in the context of community empowerment to increase the rational use of drugs.

"Surely Pharmacists as Agents of Change are educators for the wider community and also for health workers with their abilities and competencies. Pharmacists can educate the public to have knowledge of how to use drugs rationally and increase the use of rational drugs in the community." Rizka concluded.

The event continued with a discussion session by speakers including from the Antimicrobial Resistance Control Committee, Directorate of Health Service Quality, WHO, Practitioners and Pharmacist-Influencers. On this occasion, the signing of the integrity pact and the inauguration of the AoC Master to the selected AoC Pharmacist in accordance with the criteria set by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia and the awarding of appreciation for cooperation and efforts to develop the GeMa CerMat program to the AoC Master who has compiled an educational video.

It is hoped that the Master AoC will continue to be committed and able to influence the behavior of the community and health workers in the context of community empowerment to increase the rational use of drugs and become a driving force and role model for other AoCs in implementing GeMa CerMat.