Video: Herbal Medicine Producers’ Tactics to Break into Markets Outside Java and Abroad

Indonesia is still dependent on imports of pharmaceutical products, according to BPOM (Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan), even though the country has the potential to generate up to Rp 350 trillion per year in the national jamu or herbal medicine industry.

Harun Pramono, CEO of PT Ultra Sakti, said Indonesia’s potential to become a major player in the herbal medicine industry is wide open, although achieving this will require efforts including improvements to the quality of the traditional medicine sector.

Nevertheless, meeting BPOM requirements and standards, including CPOTB (Cara Pembuatan Obat Tradisional yang Baik / Good Manufacturing Practice for Traditional Medicines), by herbal medicine SMEs remains a challenge, even though the domestic market is very large, reaching up to 40% of the Indonesian population.

Given that PT Ultra Sakti is a pharmaceutical company that produces and packages Over-The-Counter (OTC) herbal medicines and health supplements that can be sold freely, it participates in encouraging education for SMEs to raise the standardisation of herbal products. At present, of around 20,000 licensed jamu, only 71 products can be upgraded to become Standard Herbal Medicine (OHT).

At Ultra Sakti, the development of herbal and OTC products continues with innovations in formulas and packaging to meet various market segments. In addition, Ultra Sakti also aims to expand its market beyond Java to overseas by strengthening its sales channels.

What does the industry think about the steps to push Indonesian jamu up a level to standard herbal and into the ranks of modern wellness products? Read more in the dialogue between Serliana Salsabila and PT Ultra Sakti CEO Harun Pramono on Profit, CNBC Indonesia (Tuesday, 19/05/2026).