Firm donates Rp 1b in drugs

JAKARTA (JP): Astra division of publicly listed PT Merck Indonesia pharmaceutical company has presented medicine aid packages worth Rp 1 billion to the government to help solve drug shortages accompanying the monetary crisis.

Executive Leo Lukmanto of the firm, a subsidiary of Astra Pharmaceuticals of Sweden, told The Jakarta Post yesterday that the relief was presented Saturday by Astra Pharmaceuticals regional manager for Canada, Japan and other Asian countries, Ulf Karlberg, to the head of drug control of the Directorate General of Drug and Food Control, Andajaningsih.

Drugs contributed included Bricasma, an antiasthmatic, Marcaine for local anesthetics, and Lexinor, an antibiotic to treat typhoid.

PT Merck Indonesia is one of 249 pharmaceutical companies in the country.

Astra Pharmaceuticals, a Swedish multinational established in 1913, currently operates in more than 50 countries and employs over 20,000 people, Leo said.

It established a division here in Merck Indonesia in 1986, initially marketing the antiasthmatic and local anesthetic medications, he said.

The government has allocated a Rp 700 billion subsidy in a bid to lower the price of generic and patented drugs. Some generics have increased in price by as much as 150 percent, and patented medications have soared by up to 300 percent. (bsr/edt)