When medication access is widespread without pharmacist supervision,\nthe risk of medication errors and irrational drug use will increase\nJakarta (ANTARA) - the Indonesian Pharmacists Association (IAI) Aceh\nchapter stated that the government\u2019s weak management of health workforce\nDistribution is a challenge for drug oversight in retail outlets such as\nsupermarkets, convenience stores, and hypermarkets.<\/p>\n
\u201cEach year, Indonesia graduates over 13,000 new pharmacists. The\nissue is not a shortage of personnel, but the state has yet to optimally\nDistribution and absorb pharmaceutical resources,\u201d said IAI Aceh\nChairman Tedy Kurniawan Bakri in a statement in Jakarta on Thursday.<\/p>\n
He said the policy outlined in BPOM regulation No.\u00a05 of 2026 could\neffectively legalise the sale of medications without pharmacist\nsupervision.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf previously un-supervised drug sales were considered wrong, and\nnow the technicalities are being regulated, the public will surely\nquestion whether this is being legalised,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
From the outset, the pharmacists\u2019 professional organisation has\nrepeatedly expressed opposition to the practice of selling drugs without\npharmacist supervision, as medications are not merely ordinary\ncommodities.<\/p>\n
He stated that drug use carries risks including side effects, drug\ninteractions, allergies, contraindications, and potential misuse.\nTherefore, education and supervision of drug use are essential,\nincluding for over-the-counter medications.<\/p>\n
Additionally, Tedy highlighted that many pharmacy graduates remain\nunemployed. Under Health Law No.\u00a017 of 2023, Bachelor of Pharmacy\ngraduates cannot be classified as health professionals until they\ncomplete pharmacist professional education.<\/p>\n
He said this indicates Indonesia actually has an abundance of\npharmaceutical human resources. However, the state has yet to establish\na balanced system for training and Distribution health workforce.<\/p>\n
He also Criticised the government\u2019s insufficient support, including\nin start-up capital, facility subsidies, local incentives, and financing\naccess, to encourage pharmacists to establish services in remote\nareas.<\/p>\n
Tedy believes programs like Nusantara Sehat should be strengthen to\naddress healthcare access in remote regions.<\/p>\n
He reminded that government policies should not be perceived as\nfavouring retail business interests over public safety.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe oppose this not due to professional interests, but because public\nsafety must be the top priority. The state should strengthen the health\nsystem, not lower supervision standards,\u201d he said.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/iai-suboptimal-distribution-of-pharmacists-poses-challenges-in-retail-oversight-1779995304", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }