Today use of generic
medicine was not prioritized by most people, but opportunity in the generic
medicine market was believed to grow with National Security System [SSJN] being
put in effect this year. Admittedly today many people were not convinced about
efficacy of generic medicines so it was felt necessary to educate people and
give away free medicines to the public.
The increasing number of people using generic medicines
was not only in Government hospitals, some private hospitals which were not of
the lower middle strata were also starting to use generic medicine. Besides the
public perception of generic medicines was getting more positive with
well-packaged, logo inserted products now in circulation.
The Secretary General of the Association of Indonesian
Pharmacy Producers Tirto Kusnadi stated in Jakarta on Monday [16/6] admitted
that application of SSJN was a “blessing” to players of the pharmaceutical
industry. They were advantaged by SSJN. Thanks to the application of social
insurance managed by the Executive Body of Social Insurance [BPJS], the
pharmaceutical industry could produce more generic medicines. “SJSN encourage
use of generic medicines and for sure there would be production increase
although not drastically.” Tirto remarked.
Tirto estimated growth of this year might reach 17% or up
by 4% of last year’s production. According to Kusnadi last year to total value
of national medicine production came to Rp 35 trillion. Of that amount, generic
medicine only contributed around Rp 7 trillion as the price was by far cheaper
than products of big pharmaceutical producers.
Meanwhile the Ministry of Health had schemed up a roadmap
of national medicine policy to ensure availability of medicine in tandem with
Health BPJS Insurance. By the time BPJS operated, the need for medicine was
estimated to multiply 2.5 to 3 times. The Ministry of Health was optimistic
that production capacity of Indonesian pharmaceutical companies could still
meet threefold demand. The amount of medicine bought by the Government today
was still only for 95 million people, the rest of population must buy medicines
for themselves.
With the application of BPJS-Health Insurance, Indonesia
could fulfill need for around 240 million people. Today pharmaceutical
companies were racing to make generic medicine and include their products in
the List of Medicine Price Ceiling [DPHO]. The potential for growth of generic
medicines and health equipments was estimated at Rp 9.2 trillion in line with
increasing demand due to SJSN.
The Minister of Health reported that PT Kimia Farma Tbk
and PT Indofarma Tbk, two state owned emitents were planning to produce new
medicine to anticipate SJSN. The production of new medicines was to meet
increasing demand in line with application of SJSN. Kimia Farma would produce
and market 11 cancer medicine, while Indofarma would produce 15 items of new
medicines, PT Indofarma Tbk would increase production capacity for generic
drugs up to 6.9 billion tables Iin 2013, an increase of 200% against production
capacity of 2012 by 2.3 billion tables.
Similarly PT Dexa Medica would increase production output
from 1.5 billion generic medicines to 2 billion tablets to keep up with growth
in 2014. Today, Dexa Medica controlled over 19% of national generic medicines.
PT Kalbe Farma Tbk projected sales of generic medicines to grow by above 20% -
25% in line with application of SJSN in 2014. Kalbe Farma had accomplished
building of new factory of generic medicines at the cost of Rp 150 billion.
Although Kalbe Farma only contributed only 2%-3% of generic medicines to
company’s sales, they were very serious about aiming at the generic medicine
market. (SS)
Business News - June 20, 2014
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