COVID-19 – Indonesia to produce three variants of therapeutic drugs

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Indonesian pharmaceutical producer and distributor Kimia Farma is producing and distributing three variants of therapeutic drugs to restore COVID-19 patients’ health, namely Azithromycin, Favipiravir, and Remdesivir.

“Kimia Farma produces Azithromycin tablets which are also made by 33 companies in Indonesia. A total of 19 companies produce generic Azithromycin, one of which is Kimia Farma,” said Kimia Farma’s President Director Verdi Budidarmo at a hearing with legislators here on Wednesday.

A total of 58,000 boxes, each containing 20 tablets of Azithromycin, have been distributed since June 2021, he pointed out.

“This month we will distribute nearly six million tablets,” Verdi said.

The distribution channel of the drugs, one of which, is through 1,233 Kimia Farma’s pharmacies, which are located in various areas in the country.

Kimia Farma also produces seven million tablets of Favipiravir which is targeted to roll out until July 23, 2021.

Verdi said Favipiravir obtained an emergency use authorization from the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (locally known as BPOM) and has been distributed to various hospitals through Kimia Farma Trading and Distribution.

“Favipirapir is Kimia Farma’s product. There are six domestic industries that also produce the drug using almost all imported raw materials,” he explained.

Kimia Farma is making an effort to meet demands for therapeutic drug Remdesivir.

“Currently there are seven pharmaceutical industries in Indonesia that are importing (Remdesivir), one of which is Kimia Farma,” Verdi said, adding that the injection of Remdesivir products for domestic needs is expected to be launched in September 2021.

Reporting by Indonesia Window