JAKARTA. Liabilities of PT Kalbe Farma Tbk (KLBF) increased significantly by 23.3% at the beginning of this month, because a number of hospitals were in arrears with the payments of the medicines used in the BPJS program.
Bernadus Karmin Winata, Director of KLBF, admitted that the increase in liabilities was due to long-term bank loans. The loans, said Winata, has to be taken by the company to maintain cash flow. Moreover, there are many government-owned hospitals, which often are in arrears with the payment of medicines for BPJS patients.
By the end of June, KLBF's total liabilities have risen to Rp 3.52 trillion. At the end of 2018, the company's liabilities were only Rp 2.85 trillion. Meanwhile, long-term bank loans also rose from Rp 259.83 billion to Rp 541.36 billion.
The impact of this, said Winata, was felt directly by the company's subsidiary engaged in drug distribution. Therefore, KLBF hopes that the increase in BPJS fees will improve drug payments from state-owned hospitals. (KR/AR)