The Ministry of Health has launched the Smart Community Movement Using Medicines (GeMa CerMat) program since November 2015, with the aim of increasing public knowledge, awareness, and skills in using medicines rationally. This program involves Agent of Change (AoC) as change agents who are tasked with educating the public and health workers about the importance of rational drug use.

One of the focuses of this program is antimicrobial resistance control, where AoCs are tasked with providing education on antibiotic use. GeMa CerMat AoCs, which consist of health workers especially pharmacists, have a central role in changing the behavior of the community and health workers, especially in terms of rational drug use. They receive debriefing and certification, making them the driving agents in this program.

This program has produced 9,346 AoC Pharmacists and 281 AoC Masters throughout Indonesia who actively carry out education to the community. On 18-20 July 2024, the Directorate General of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices through the Directorate of Pharmaceutical Management and Services held an activity “Optimizing the Role of Pharmacist Agent of Change GeMa CerMat in the Antimicrobial Resistance Control Program” in Lombok City.

The activity, which was opened by the Deputy Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, Dante Saksono Harbuwono, aims to increase the knowledge and involvement of AoC in controlling antimicrobial resistance in the community, as well as motivating them to be more active and innovative in the GeMa CerMat program. In this event, 44 AoCs were also inaugurated as Master AoC 2024 as well as Antimicrobial Resistance Ambassadors in their respective regions.

The role of the AoC is critical in driving antimicrobial resistance control across society, with pharmacists as the prime movers who ensure the public has access to information on the wise and safe use of medicines.

The Deputy Minister of Health in his speech emphasized the importance of increasing the knowledge and ability of AoC Pharmacists in providing education to the public, especially in controlling antimicrobial resistance.

“Pharmacists and AoC GeMa CerMat have an important role as the 'Last Guard' in preventing irrational use of drugs, especially antibiotics,” said Dante. He added that the education provided by AoC pharmacists is not only aimed at the public, but also to fellow pharmacists, pharmaceutical personnel, and other medical personnel. This aims to build a better understanding in controlling antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Dante also hopes that this activity will encourage the production of optimal pharmaceutical services, strengthen collaboration between health professionals, and increase the appropriate use of antimicrobials in all health care facilities. Thus, it is hoped that the number of antimicrobial resistance can be reduced.

“Hopefully the AoC 2024 masters who are inaugurated as AMR Ambassadors from each region can contribute to efforts to control antimicrobial resistance towards Indonesia Emas 2045,” he continued. He also emphasized that this joint effort between the government and the community aims to increase awareness, understanding, and skills in the correct and appropriate use of drugs.

The activity also included the signing of an integrity pact as a form of joint commitment and the inauguration of the AoC Master to selected AoC Pharmacists who meet the criteria set by the Indonesian Ministry of Health.

It is expected that the inaugurated AoC masters will continue to be committed to influencing the behavior of the community and health workers in increasing the rational use of drugs, becoming the main driver and role model for other Agent of Change Pharmacists in carrying out the Smart Community Movement Using Drugs (GeMa CerMat) program in their respective communities.