RI doctors prefer foreign medicines

RI doctors prefer foreign medicines

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian doctors believe that medicines
produced by foreign pharmaceutical companies are more effective
than those locally made, a survey finds.

Chairman of the Indonesian Medical Association Azrul Azwar
revealed yesterday the results of the association's survey of 750
doctors from six major cities: Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang,
Surabaya, Medan and Ujungpandang. The survey started in June and
took three months to complete.

Azrul said the majority of respondents believed that the most
effective medicines found here are produced by foreign
pharmaceutical companies. They named seven foreign companies as
the producers of the best medicines, as well as three local ones
of lower preference.

"It means that our doctors are more convinced by foreign
products," Azrul said at a discussion on the survey results. "It
may be because local pharmaceutical companies produce less, or
because foreign products really are superior."

The questionnaire asked the doctors to rate the performance of
pharmaceutical companies, the quality of certain products, prices
and service. It also asked them whether local companies were
carrying out enough research and development activities to
produce quality medicine.

The majority of respondents (57.9 percent) said they will only
use good products and ones that have passed clinical tests. A
total of 54.4 percent said they choose certain medicines based on
affordability.

Only 40.7 percent demanded that pharmaceutical products meet
manufacturing standards, 16.1 percent said the raw materials
should be of good quality, and 7.5 percent said they choose
medicines that have been proven effective.

The survey was the first of its kind, Azrul said, and was
designed to provide feedback for companies.

The survey also found that Bayer Indonesia, a German-based
pharmaceutical company, was seen as having conducted the most
research and development, followed by Smithkline Beecham
Pharmaceutical Indonesia and Combiphar.

"The survey is a service of the medical association," Azrul
said, adding that the findings have been sent to the companies.

Azrul interpreted the findings as proof that Indonesian
pharmaceutical companies are not ready to face stiff competition
in a free trade era. (03)