AAM and BBPOM Palembang Reinforce Pharmacists’ Contribution to Antimicrobial Resistance Prevention

As part of its commitment to advancing pharmaceutical service quality and promoting the responsible use of antimicrobials, PT Medela Potentia Tbk through its subsidiary PT Anugrah Argon Medica (AAM), in collaboration with the Palembang Regional Office of the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority, organized a technical guidance program for pharmacists-in-charge of pharmacies titled “Regulation and Monitoring of Antimicrobial Distribution: Breaking the Chain of Resistance Across Human, Animal, and Environmental Sectors” on June 11, 2026, in Palembang.

The program was attended by 70 pharmacists-in-charge from community pharmacies across Palembang as part of efforts to enhance the knowledge and capacity of pharmaceutical professionals in supporting the rational use of antibiotics and the prevention of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

In her opening remarks, Mrs. Yani Ardiyanti, S.Si., Apt., M.Sc., Head of BBPOM Palembang, expressed her appreciation to PT Anugrah Argon Medica for initiating an educational forum that brought together regulators, healthcare professionals, and other relevant stakeholders.

She emphasized that collaboration between regulators and healthcare industry players is essential in strengthening pharmacists' understanding of regulatory requirements while improving the quality of pharmaceutical services delivered to the public.

The technical guidance program featured several expert speakers who discussed antimicrobial resistance control from various perspectives. Topics included regulations and antimicrobial resistance control efforts in Indonesia, presented by the Head of BBPOM Palembang.

Meanwhile, apt. Tien Atika Setiawati, S.Si., Head of the Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Team at the Palembang City Health Office, highlighted the Health Office’s role in antimicrobial resistance control initiatives. In addition, Dra. Citra Willia Agus, Apt., M.Kes., Senior Pharmacist at the Pharmacy Department of Dr. Mohammad Hoesin General Hospital Palembang, delivered a presentation on the critical role of pharmacists in slowing the progression of antimicrobial resistance.

Antimicrobial resistance remains a significant public health concern due to the widespread use of antibiotics without adequate supervision. According to the Indonesian Health Survey (SKI), 48.5% of residents in South Sumatra obtained antibiotics without prescription, while 55.5% acquired antibiotics through licensed pharmacies and drugstores. These findings underscore the vital role pharmacists play in ensuring the appropriate use of antibiotics and educating the public about the risks associated with antimicrobial resistance.

Mr. Yulius Yudianto, Branch Manager of AAM Palembang, emphasized that addressing antimicrobial resistance requires collaboration among all stakeholders, including regulators, healthcare professionals, the healthcare industry, and the wider community.

“Collaboration is key to building a stronger healthcare ecosystem. We highly appreciate the synergy established with BBPOM Palembang and all stakeholders who contributed to the success of this program. We hope the knowledge shared through this initiative will help pharmacists enhance their competencies and the quality of pharmaceutical services, ultimately contributing to better public health outcomes,” said Mr. Yulius.

Through ongoing collaboration with BPOM offices across Indonesia, AAM continues to support the development of pharmaceutical professionals through relevant and collaborative educational initiatives. These efforts aim to strengthen the quality of pharmaceutical services and promote the safe and rational use of medicines throughout Indonesia.