The Directorate General of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices through the Directorate of Pharmaceutical Management and Services held a coordination meeting in the context of controlling drug availability in Yogyakarta on February 19-21, 2024.

This meeting aims to strengthen the control of drug availability and map the availability constraints that occur in the regions, so that preventive efforts can be made to prevent drug vacancies or overstock.

In accordance with the mandate of Indonesian Law No. 17 of 2023 concerning Health, the Directorate General of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices (Ditjen Farmalkes) strives for the availability, affordability, equity, and quality of pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

In addition, the Directorate General of Pharmaceuticals has a role in supporting National Health Development, especially in terms of ensuring access, independence and quality of pharmaceutical preparations and medical devices, one of which is indicated by the availability of drugs at health centers.

In realizing the mandate of the law, the Directorate General of Pharmaceuticals also plays a role in ensuring adequate supply of essential drugs, as well as ensuring the safety of their efficacy and quality. This is evidenced by the routine monitoring of drug availability with the success rate of drug fulfillment measured by Strategic Target Indicators (ISS) and Program Performance Indicators (IKP).

In her remarks, the Director General of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices of the Indonesian Ministry of Health, L. Rizka Andalusia, said that one of the indicators that can provide an overview of equitable drug availability is the percentage of health centers with the availability of essential drugs with achievements in TW IV 2023 of 94.33%.

This data shows that essential drugs are not yet evenly available in all health centers and in accordance with the results in the field that "There are still several obstacles related to drug availability, including the level of drug availability that varies greatly in the regions, drug availability reporting that is not routinely carried out, potential drug vacancies and expired drugs, procurement delays, and other issues" said Rizka.

"The role of the Provincial Health Office in maintaining the availability of drugs to health centers in the region is very important, as a link between policies at the center and the regions and a driver of the success of health services as a whole," she added.

"I hope this coordination meeting can be utilized as well as possible so that the continuity of health services to the community is maintained," concluded Rizka.