Kalbe Farma Tbk PT : Launched New Packaging for Generic Medications

Press Release No. 030/KFCP-DIR/PR/IX/17

Tangerang, 7 September 2017 - PT Kalbe Farma Tbk (Kalbe) through one of its subsidiaries, PT Hexpharm Jaya (HJ) that focuses in producing generic medication today launches the change of packaging with a blue-colored basic packaging. The blue-colored packaging is in order to simplify the identification of HJ Generic medications as well as preventing the risk of it getting mixed with other products that have similar physical characteristic. The launching of the newly-colored packaging was held in conjunction with the Annual Scientific Gathering of the Indonesian Pharmacists Association (IAI) at Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE), Tangerang, which was attended by approximately 1,500 pharmacists from all over Indonesia.

'Hexpharm Jaya is committed to bring success to the National Healthcare Security (JKN) which is a government policy, by producing quality generic medicines in accordance with the most updated Good Manufacturing Method (CPOB) in order to fulfill the needs for affordable and quality generic medications as expected by the public,' said Mulia Lie, President Director of PT Hexpharm Jaya. 'With the changing of the color of packaging to blue, HJ became the first generic manufacturers that conducted the change of color standards on its generic products' packaging. It is expected that the change of color would make it easier for the public to identify quality products that is produced by HJ,' Mulia Lie continued.

'We appreciate the initiative done by Hexpharm Jaya in changing the color of the packaging of the Generic Medicines they produce,' said Drs. Nurul Falah Eddy Pariang, Apt. Chairman of the Indonesian Pharmacists' Association. 'As we all know, the public need of generic medication is increasing, and therefore producers of generic medicines is obliged to pay attention to its class and quality in order for it to gain more of the public's trust,' said Nurul Falah.

'The government policy on National Healthcare Security (JKN) is pushing for a significant increase of development of the generic medicines. In spite of generic medication having lower sales price compared to branded medicines, the producers of generic medication should always provide the contents, effectiveness, security, and quality that is on par with branded medicines. For that, Hexpharm Jaya always follows the same standard of quality starting from the research and development process of the product, provision of ingredients, to the production processes to manufacture quality products,' Mulia Lie added.

The change of color of the packaging to blue has passed the registration and approval process from the Food and Drugs Monitoring Agency (BPOM). Previously, the design of a generic medicine is arranged by having a line as accent for specific active ingredients, whereas nowadays, the design for generic packaging is no longer regulated by the government, as long as the packaging would have the logo for generic medicines. Several products that have had their packaging gradually changed are Mephenamate Acid, Glimepiridie 3 mg, Glimepiridie 2 mg, Atorvastatin 10 mg, Atorvastatin 20 mg, Cetirizine 5 mg, Clopidogrel, Losartan.

In choosing a generic medicine, one should in principle be 'J.E.L.I', an acronym of 'Jelas Pabriknya' (Clarity of Producer), where it should be discerned that the product was created by a CPOB-certified pharmaceutical factory, experienced, and trusted; Followed with 'Efektif' (Effective) of its efficacy, having the quality of the generic medicine equal to a patented medicine. And then 'Lihat Kemasannya' (Look at its Packaging), to make sure that the medicine is being properly packaged with complete information. And lastly 'Ingat!' (Remember!) that is to buy a medicine should be in an official place to make sure of its quality and protecting oneself from fake medicines.

In the Indonesian Pharmacists' Association's Conference, Kalbe Group got the opportunity to share two interesting topics, i.e. Cost Optimization without Sacrificing Quality on Generic Products, conveyed by Pre Agusta, Director of Manufacturing of PT Kalbe Farma Tbk; and Quality Management System (QMS) in Pharmaceutical Industry, conveyed by Sumarno, Group Head Quality Assurance of Kalbe Group.

PT Hexpharm Jaya at a glance
PT Hexpharm Jaya, established in 1971, specifically operates in the fields of development, production, and marketing of generic medications. Hexpharm Jaya Laboratories, a subsidiary of PT. Kalbe Farma Tbk, is included in the list of 20 largest (ethical) pharmaceutical companies in Indonesia, and included among the 3 largest generic pharmaceutical companies in Indonesia. As part of Kalbe Group, PT HJ always follows the same standard of quality, starting from R&D, provision of ingredients, to the production processes to manufacture quality products. HJ's products have passed BA/BE (Bio Equivalence), which shows HJ's seriousness in producing quality generic medicines. Among HJ's generic medicine products are: Amoxicilin, Bisoprolol 5 mg, Ciprofloxacin 500 mg, Clopidrogrel 75 mg, Ketokonazole 200 mg, Lansoprazole 30 mg, Meloxicam 15 mg and Irbesartan 300 mg.

Kalbe at a glance
PT Kalbe Farma Tbk ('Kalbe') was established in 1966 and is one of the biggest public pharmaceutical companies in Southeast Asia. Kalbe has four main divisions that handle reliable and varied brand portfolio; prescription medicines (Cefspan, Brainact, Broadced, etc); over-the-counter medication division (Woods, Promag, Mixagrip, Komix, Fatigon, etc); health drinks (Hydro Coco, Extra Joss, Nitros); nutrition division (ChilKid, Prenagen, Diabetasol, etc); and distribution division. Kalbe currently has more than 20 subsidiaries, 9 production facilities with international standard, and employs more than 17,000 employees dispersed across more than 71 branches throughout Indonesia. From 1991, Kalbe is listed at Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX: KLBF).

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