Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Food and Drug Agency (BPOM) emphasized that traditional herbal drink jamu is not merely a legacy of the past but a symbol of Indonesia’s future health sector.
The agency's Deputy for Traditional Medicines, Health Supplements, and Cosmetics Supervision stated that jamu represents local wisdom supported by strong scientific research and evidence.
“Jamu is more than just a mixture of spices. It reflects a cultural heritage passed down through generations. Today, more scientific journals are highlighting its great potential as traditional medicine,” Kashuri said during a virtual event celebrating the National Jamu Day on Sunday.
According to him, elevating the herbal drink from a research subject to a tangible, competitive product with real-world applications is very important.
Therefore, he also stressed the need for cross-sector collaboration involving the Indonesian Medical Association for the Development of Traditional Medicines and Jamu (PDPOTJI), medical professionals, academics, and industry stakeholders.
Such collaboration, he said, is a key to bridge modern medical science with Indonesia's rich natural resources.
Furthermore, he said that BPOM remains committed to accelerating jamu clinical trials through better policies.
"We do not just supervise but also help to ensure that clinical trials are conducted according to proper standards. Many products fail to reach the market because their clinical trials do not meet the procedure requirements,” he explained.
Kashuri mentioned that Law No. 17 of 2023 and Government Regulation (PP) No. 28 of 2024 have paved the way for jamu to be integrated into the national health care system.
He added that BPOM is also encouraging the inclusion of traditional medicine in educational curriculum, so that younger generations can better understand its potential and applications.
“Let's make jamu one of Indonesia’s health diplomacy symbols on the global stage,” Kashuri stated.
