Argon Peduli Partners with ITB School of Pharmacy to Strengthen Medication Literacy Among Posyandu Cadres

Public literacy on medicines in Indonesia remains a significant challenge. According to the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey released by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, only 16.3% of the population is aware of the classification of medicines they purchase.

The proportion of individuals who understand the characteristics of damaged medicines stands at just 32.1%. Furthermore, 86% of the population dispose of damaged or expired medicines directly without separating them from their packaging, destroying them beforehand, or returning them to a pharmacy.

This limited understanding is closely linked to improper household medicine storage practices. Data show that only 23% of respondents have ever received information regarding proper medicine storage from pharmacies or healthcare professionals. Inappropriate storage conditions may reduce the stability of active ingredients and compromise therapeutic effectiveness.

In response to these challenges, PT Medela Potentia Tbk, through its Argon Peduli initiative, in collaboration with the School of Pharmacy at the Bandung Institute of Technology and Dharma Dexa, organized the “Bincang Santai Bersama Kader Posyandu SIGAP” program on Thursday, 12 February 2026, in Bandung.

The event was attended by Mr. Bogi Purnomo, Head of the Bandung Branch of PT Anugrah Argon Medica (AAM); Mr. Mateus Ramidi, Manager of Dharma Dexa; and Argon Peduli volunteers. A total of 25 representatives from Posyandu SIGAP (Sinergi Gerakan Argon Peduli), comprising Posyandu Melati 1 through 10, participated in the session.

Three academics from the ITB School of Pharmacy—Dr. apt. Cindra Tri Yuniar; apt. Bhekti Pratiwi, M.Si.; and apt. Silma Aulia Rahmah, M.S.Farm.—delivered presentations on DAGUSIBU (Obtain, Use, Store, and Dispose of Medicines Properly) and ABSO (Let’s Dispose of Medicine Waste Properly) as comprehensive approaches to household medicine management.

Apt. Bhekti Pratiwi, M.Si., emphasized that Posyandu cadres play a strategic role as extensions of healthcare professionals. “Through cadres, information on the proper use and storage of medicines can be disseminated to the community, particularly to mothers, thereby strengthening overall medicine literacy,” she stated.

Mrs. Iyus Sumiati, Head of Posyandu Melati 6, shared that the Argon Peduli initiative has enhanced the cadres’ understanding of appropriate medicine use and storage. “Previously, we did not fully understand the details. We will continue to share this knowledge with the community,” she remarked.

President Director of PT Medela Potentia Tbk, Mr. Krestijanto Pandji, stated that strengthening medicine literacy forms part of the Company’s commitment to driving sustainable social impact.

“Through the SIGAP program, we aim to ensure that Posyandu cadres possess strong capacity as educational agents at the household level. When medicine literacy improves, the risks of misuse and environmental impact from pharmaceutical waste can be significantly reduced. Our collaboration with the ITB School of Pharmacy represents a strategic step in delivering knowledge-based education that is both relevant and practical,” Mr. Krestijanto concluded.