Kimia Farma to up exports

JAKARTA (JP): State-owned PT Kimia Farma is seeking to increase its exports of iodine and quinine because of the low usage of the two substances by the local drug industry, Antara reported on Saturday.

Kimia Farma, which is overseen by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, already exports the two substances to the tune of Rp 20 billion (US$2.4 million) per year, the news agency quoted director Darojatun as saying in Semarang.

Its major markets are the United States, Australia, Japan, China and Europe.

Almost 80 percent of the iodine and quinine produced by Kimia Farma is exported, he said, adding that some of the final products eventually ended up being sold to Indonesia.

Kimia Farma, which produces 400 kinds of medicine including 100 generic drugs, earns Rp 1.2 trillion ($144 million) each year from the sales of raw materials for drugs, medicines and the operations of its drugstores. (02)