"While over 1,300 types of NPS have been identified globally, 115 varieties have already been detected within Indonesia," BNN Chief Suyudi Ario Seto underscored the urgency of the situation, during a meeting in Jakarta on Friday.
In response to these evolving threats, BNN and BRIN are strengthening their collaboration in research and technology to address increasingly complex narcotics dynamics.
A key objective of this partnership is to optimize the certification process for local raw materials intended for domestic medical and industrial use.
This process will be conducted under the joint supervision of BNN, BRIN, and the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) to ensure the safety, quality, and public benefit of these materials.
BRIN Head Arif Satria affirmed his agency’s readiness to support BNN by utilizing its extensive infrastructure and research resources.
He stated that BRIN is prepared to conduct specific technical studies, including monitoring compound content in plants and developing advanced early detection instruments for new narcotics.
Satria noted that BRIN’s facilities will enable the identification and analysis of narcotic compounds to become faster, more accurate, and more efficient.
The heads of both agencies also discussed expanding cross-sector research into fields such as health, electronics, and informatics.
A primary focus of this partnership is to strengthen national health resilience by reducing Indonesia's dependence on imported medicinal raw materials.
Indonesia is home to vast biodiversity, featuring over 31,000 plant species with the potential to serve as pharmaceutical sources.
However, Satria emphasized that this potential must be developed under strict supervision to prevent the misuse of plants containing narcotic properties.
The agencies agreed that comprehensive, measurable research is essential to ensuring that the utilization of such flora remains strictly within medical and scientific boundaries.
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Translator: Agatha Olivia, Raka Adji
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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