The Indonesian Ministry of Health and the Embassy of India have held a Health Business Forum (HBF) aimed at discussing increasing bilateral trade cooperation and investment in the pharmaceutical sector between the two countries.

The forum was attended by the Indian Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor Leste, the Indonesian Ministry of Health, the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, the Investment Coordinating Board, the National Agency of Drug and Food Control, representatives from the Indonesian Pharmaceutical Companies Association, state-owned enterprises, the Vaccine Industry and the Indonesian and Indian pharmaceutical industries.

Diplomatic relations between Indonesia and India have been established for a long time. Through this HBF, it is hoped that Indonesia can gain access to a variety of high-quality and cost-effective medicines, opening the door to potential partnerships in research and development, said the Director General of Pharmaceuticals and Health Equipment of the Indonesian Ministry of Health, L. Rizka Andalusia at the opening of the Indonesia-India Health Business Forum at the Indian Embassy, Jakarta, Tuesday (27/02/2024).

Director General Rizka added that the Ministry of Health is currently implementing the 6 Pillars of Indonesia's Health Transformation agenda, one of which is Transforming Health System Resilience through increasing availability and access to pharmaceutical preparations and medical devices.

"Cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector is promising and challenging, due to the large numbers served and the growth potential involved. Indonesia's pharmaceutical sector serves 267.3 million Indonesians. By 2023, 95% of them will be covered by the National Health Insurance (JKN), making it the largest single-payer healthcare system in the world," Rizka said.

Rizka further explained that Indonesia currently has more than 200 pharmaceutical industries, 4 drug raw material industries, 4 vaccine industries and is able to produce 10 antigens from 14 immunization antigens and produce COVID-19 vaccines. Domestically produced medicines have fulfilled most of the drug procurement for the National Health Insurance program in the e-Catalog.

Rizka hopes to explore opportunities and innovations for Indonesia-India collaboration in the future so as to develop the health system and improve access to medicines for the community.

On the same occasion, Indian Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor Leste Sandeep Chakravorty stated that Indonesia and India have a similar vision in the next 25 years in order to progress the country. These two countries have similar tropical conditions, so they have the same health challenges. India is also open to cooperation in the field of health services, by exchanging knowledge and skills.

Meanwhile, Director of Pharmaceutical Security and Medical Devices of the Ministry of Health Roy Himawan said that Indonesia has a strong formulation industry for generic drugs. However, it lacks innovative drug products.

"Indonesia is one of the fastest growing pharmaceutical markets in Asia. Increased health spending in Indonesia has the potential to reach IDR 178.7 trillion by 2023. As of 2012, only 18% of innovative products are available in Indonesia, compared to the G20 average of 38%. 77% of the pharmaceutical market value in Indonesia is domestically produced generic drugs," said Himawan.