Indonesia, with its abundant biodiversity that has not been optimally utilized, has a major opportunity to play a role
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Research and development of phytopharmaca, or standardized traditional medicines made from natural materials, needs to be intensified, head of the Health Research Organization at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Indi Dharmayanti, has stressed.

During a virtual discussion organized by BRIN on Friday, she said that the research intensification must be done to welcome the issuance of the Health Minister’s Decision No. HK.01.07/MENKES/1163/2022 on the phytopharmaceutical formulary.

The decision allows phytopharmaca to be included in the national health insurance (JKN) scheme, she noted during the discussion on “Jamu Scientification: Uncovering Cultural Heritage to Make the Nation Healthy.”

"This momentum is important to be responded through phytopharmaca development research intensification to provide more phytopharmaca options to enter the national formulary," she said.

The research can begin by mapping the utilization of jamu (Indonesian traditional herbal medicines), standardized herbal medicines, and phytopharmaca at health service facilities.

"The result of the mapping can then become formula development database necessary to support the utilization of conventional therapy regimen," she added

Dharmayanti also informed that jamu scientification carried out by the Health Ministry has identified 11 scientific jamu concoctions that can be developed into standardized herbal medicines or phytopharmaca with further research.

Indonesia has a vast potential to develop these products considering its biodiversity, she stated.

Strengthening Indonesia's role can be achieved with industry development such as within the field of herbal medicine, she added.

In addition, the opportunity to bolster domestic herbal businesses is still open wide with jamu consumption already a habit among Indonesian people.

"Indonesia, with its abundant biodiversity that has not been optimally utilized, has a major opportunity to play a role," she remarked.

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Translator: Prisca Triferna, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Sri Haryati
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