Herbal medicine modernized

SEMARANG: The government urged producers of traditional herbal medicines on Friday to modernize their production process to meet quality standards.

"If we don't want to be ignored by our customers, we should modernize our production process," Deputy chairman of the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) Ruslan Aspan said after inaugurating the multipurpose headquarters of PT Nyonya Meneer herbal medicine firm.

The ceremony was also attended by Minister of Women's Empowerment Sri Redjeki Sumaryoto.

According to Ruslan, many herbal medicine producers still relied on traditional processes without trying to improve their quality standards.

He claimed that herbal medicines of high standard were needed to compete in both local and international markets.

Meanwhile, Minister Sri Redjeki inaugurated a statue of Nyonya Meneer as a symbol of women's entrepreneurship and emancipation. -- JP