Jakarta (Indonesia), 6 September 2023 – Following a policy and supply chain assessment on access to controlled medicines, a two-day long workshop was convened in Yogyakarta, Central Java to present the results and discuss its implications.
Millions of people across the world continue to suffer because of a lack of access to controlled medicines. This, despite the indispensability of controlled medicines for medical and scientific purposes as outlined under the three main international drug treaties.
The availability and accessibility to controlled medicines through rational prescription, whilst preventing diversion, non-medical use, and misuse, is therefore a vital concern for every country. No less Indonesia.
In this context, the UNODC Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Section’s (PTRS) work through the GLOK67, UNODC-WHO-UICC Programme, with the financial support of the Government of Australia, set out to conduct an analysis of Indonesia’s legislation and supply chain in relation to controlled medicines.
Following this review, and a series of preparatory meetings with relevant institutions, a two-day workshop was organised in Yogyakarta to disseminate the results of the research, enable an exchange of information, and discuss future areas of collaboration.
Participants consisted of stakeholders from MoH, BPOM, Cancer Association, ACMS, as well as CSOs, cancer hospital staff, and national and international experts from academia working on controlled medicines. Dr Elizabeth Sáenz, who leads the UNODC-WHO-UICC Joint Global Programme, represented UNODC’s PTRS, whilst WHO technical officers on essential medicines also took part.
Matters such as ensuring a controlled distribution chain, building capacity in healthcare professionals, and assessing barriers within the health system and beyond, were thoughtfully and enthusiastically discussed from the perspective of the various participants under the UNODC’s framework. In particular, accessibility and availability of opioids for the treatment of cancer related pain and palliative care was given much consideration.
The workshop elicited strategic planning to ensure controlled medicines safely reach patients through legitimate means and, subsequently, suggestions for future interventions were developed. It is hoped this will be the beginning of a strong partnership between UNODC and leading institutions in Indonesia related to controlled medicines.
