Channa.id – PT Mega Medica Pharmaceuticals (MMP) and Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the independence and resilience of the pharmaceutical industry.
Their participation was marked by a special invitation from the Directorate General of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, to attend the National Forum on the Independence and Resilience of the Pharmaceutical Industry. The event took place over two days, from November 8–9, 2021, at Eastparc Hotel, Yogyakarta.
MoU Signing between PT MMP and USU
The forum not only discussed national pharmaceutical resilience but also facilitated the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Universitas Sumatera Utara and PT Mega Medica Pharmaceuticals. The collaboration focuses on the development of natural raw materials. The MoU was signed by Sutristo, Director of PT MMP, and Dr. KhairunnisaM Pharm, Ph.D, Apt., Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy at USU.
Recognition and Honor
According to Sutristo, this was an honor for both PT MMP and USU, especially as the forum featured General (Ret.) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, as the keynote speaker. The event was officially opened by Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Dante Saksono Harbuwono, Sp.PD, Ph.D, KEMD.
“We are truly proud of this invitation, especially since the event was attended by Mr. Luhut Pandjaitan, representatives of the House of Representatives Commission IX, and Dr. Mego Pinandito, M.Eng, Deputy for Research Utilization and Innovation at the National Research Agency, who joined virtually,” said Sutristo.
Commitment to Research and Development
Sutristo emphasized that the MoU represents a research collaboration agreement for both ongoing projects and future phytopharmaceutical products. This, he explained, is part of PT MMP and USU’s commitment to contributing to the independence and resilience of Indonesia’s pharmaceutical industry.
“Our commitment is clear, especially after hearing the statement from the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Mr. Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, who confirmed the government’s strong support for the development of the domestic pharmaceutical industry. He even stated that the government has decided to purchase pharmaceutical products once they are produced locally. We are ready for this—we are prepared to meet domestic pharmaceutical needs and reduce dependency on imported products,” Sutristo added.
Proving Global Competitiveness
Furthermore, Sutristo underlined that PT MMP’s participation demonstrates that Indonesian pharmaceutical products are on par with those from other countries.
“We want to prove that we are not inferior to countries like India, Bangladesh, and even Pakistan, whose pharmaceutical industries are currently growing rapidly,” he concluded.