JAKARTA - The House of Representatives' Commission VI will recommend that state-owned pharmaceutical firm PT Kimia Farma Tbk (KAEF) be given state equity capital to reduce ingredient import. Currently 90% of the company's drug ingredients are imported.
According to Commission VI Deputy Chair Gde Sumarjaya Linggih, Kimia Farma should not be dependent on imported raw materials to produce drugs. "Commission VI would like to ensure that Kimia Farma is well-prepared in facing the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in terms of drug provision. We also would like to ensure that Kimia Farma will reduce the amount of imported ingredients," he said during a recess visit to PT Kimia Farma Sungwun Pharmacopia in Bekasi on Tuesday (21/7).
Commission VI, Mr Linggih added, has concluded from the visit that Kimia Farma can produce drugs using locally sourced ingredients. "Going forward, we will recommend that Kimia Farma receive state equity capital, because the ingredients needed are available and Indonesia and we need to boost the use," he said. (LK/MS)