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)