Introduction

On Wednesday, Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk announced a collaboration with Indonesia's state-owned pharmaceutical company, Bio Farma, to package insulin for diabetes treatment in the Southeast Asian country. This partnership aims to address the growing diabetes crisis in Indonesia.

Novo Nordisk's Global Efforts

Novo Nordisk, widely recognized for its popular diabetes drug Ozempic, is one of the world's largest insulin producers. The company has been actively expanding its efforts to improve diabetes care in Asia. According to its 2023 annual report, Novo Nordisk has increased enrolments of children in diabetes care programs across India, Indonesia, and other countries.

Details of the Agreement

A memorandum of understanding has been signed between Novo Nordisk and Bio Farma. The agreement focuses on the packaging of insulin within Indonesia rather than its production. Currently, Novo Nordisk produces insulin in Denmark and the United States.

While the exact investment value and production start date are still being finalized, Soleh Ayubi, Bio Farma's deputy chief executive officer, confirmed this is Novo Nordisk's first manufacturing deal in Indonesia. Novo Nordisk will bring its expertise in diabetes treatment and insulin production, while Bio Farma will provide local manufacturing facilities.

Commitment to Indonesia

Sreerekha Sreenivasan, vice president and general manager of Novo Nordisk in Indonesia, emphasized that the deal "strengthens our commitment in Indonesia." The collaboration is a significant step towards improving diabetes care in the country.

The Diabetes Challenge in Indonesia

According to 2021 data from the International Diabetes Federation, over 19 million Indonesians, or 10.8% of the adult population of nearly 180 million people, are living with diabetes. The collaboration between Novo Nordisk and Bio Farma is expected to enhance diabetes treatment accessibility and support the country's healthcare system in managing this chronic condition.