PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - Novo Nordisk Indonesia and Bio Farma, a state-owned company operating in the pharmaceutical sector, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate in the diabetes drug production process in Indonesia.

By combining the expertise of both companies, it aims to support the Indonesian government in providing important diabetes medicines. This collaboration is in line with the health service resilience agenda launched by the government.

The increasing prevalence of diabetes in Indonesia encourages the importance of this collaboration. Currently, an estimated 19.5 million people are living with diabetes, and this number is expected to increase to 28.6 million by 2045.

Many people with diabetes in Indonesia face great challenges in managing their condition due to limited knowledge and awareness about this disease and appropriate treatment.

The 2020 Social Security Administration Agency (BPJS) report revealed that only 2 million people were diagnosed and treated under the national health service system (National Health Insurance, JKN).

Based on the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey (SKI), it is estimated that 80.6 percent of people with diabetes in Indonesia who have been diagnosed and received treatment have uncontrolled diabetes.

The Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, said diabetes is the mother of all diseases. Uncontrolled diabetes will cause complications.

"Currently, we are weak in screening, and we need to reform the health care system. If we can identify and treat diabetes early, then the cost of care will be cheaper and can improve the quality of life of those living with diabetes. We have reformed 10,000 primary care services for better diabetes management," said Gunadi.

"This collaboration between Novo Nordisk Indonesia and Bio Farma aims to save more lives of Indonesian people." he added.

Over the past 25 years, Novo Nordisk has demonstrated its commitment as a partner of the Indonesian government. Novo Nordisk Indonesia has collaborated with the government to strengthen the capacity and train professional health workers, for example in implementing an accredited diabetes training program in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Indonesian Endocrinology Association (PERKENI), as well as the Advanced Diabetes Care and Centers of Excellence in Diabetes programs .

Gunadi explained that these programs focus on increasing the capacity of professional health workers, lay education, and health evaluation studies in 176 hospitals throughout the country.

"This collaboration also strengthens the inter-governmental MoU (government-to-government, G2G) between Indonesia and Denmark, which further supports the government's health resilience agenda," he said

Vice President and General Manager, Novo Nordisk Indonesia Sreerekha Sreenivasan said that at Novo Nordisk, we run with a vision to drive change in serious chronic diseases. Improving the quality of life for people with diabetes is critical to realizing this vision, and we strive to provide equitable access to diabetes care

"This collaboration with Bio Farma strengthens our commitment to Indonesia," he said.

Bio Farma President Director, Shadiq Akasya said, collaboration with Novo Nordisk will increase Bio Farma's capabilities.

"This partnership aims to significantly increase access to quality diabetes treatment and

affordable, increasing awareness of the importance of managing chronic diabetes, and strengthening the capacity of the Indonesian health system in overcoming global challenges," said Shadiq.

According to Sadiq, to achieve this goal, a joint commitment is needed, especially from the government, to support the production of innovative domestic products.

"Novo Nordisk brings its expertise in diabetes care and insulin production to this collaboration, while Bio Farma brings its established local manufacturing capabilities," he explained.

Sadiq emphasized that by combining the strengths of both parties, this partnership aims to create a stronger and more sustainable foundation for diabetes management in Indonesia.

"This collaboration emphasizes the potential for mutually beneficial collaboration for multinational and domestic companies, which ultimately provides benefits for the health of the Indonesian people," concluded Sadiq. (rep no)