Focus Group Discussion of National Independence in the Provision of Raw Materials for Natural Medicines as an Effort to Improve the Quality and Competitiveness of Traditional Medicinal Products

Jamu is a health product that may drive the economy, however many traditional medicine production facilities still rely on imported natural medicinal raw materials. This is due to continued supply constraints in both quantity and quality of these basic resources. One of the causes is the complexity of challenges from upstream to downstream, ranging from a lack of data on the amount and type of raw materials needed for natural medicines to issues in the distribution chain and accessible market information.

This challenge can be overcome through a variety of efforts, including strengthening the institutions of farmers and simplicia collectors, the existence of regulations that support the production and distribution of raw materials for natural medicines, research on the development of raw materials for natural medicines, and the participation of business actors in drug production facilities in advancing the use of natural medicinal raw materials. Bintang Toedjoe, which focuses on medicinal raw materials, natural red ginger is present in red ginger cultivation, therefore it may be used as a model to establish an ecosystem for raw material cultivation by using ABGC features.

This red ginger herbal ecosystem is a strength in carrying out strategic supply implementations between farmer partners, drying partners, and extract/traditional medicine sector business actors, standardizing from seed to extraction to obtain quality natural ingredients-based products, and ABGC collaboration for mutual support. Together, we can achieve immediate national independence in the provision of raw resources for natural medicines.