Govt told to check 'jamu' producers

SEMARANG: A jamu (herbal medicine) entrepreneur has called on the government to publish the results of its investigation of allegations that some producers of herbal and traditional medicines were using fake ingredients, Antara reported.

Hartono Chandra of the Original Indonesian Medicines group said the investigation had been launched because jamu production continued in spite of a shortage of some of the required raw materials.

The Food and Drugs Control Agency at the Ministry of Health, which conducted the investigation, should publish its findings to comfort the users of jamu and traditional medicines, Hartono said.

He said the shortage of raw materials required in the production of jamu occurred because the government consistently failed to support the development of herb plantations. (04)