WPD 2026, Jakarta Govt Strengthens Drug Use Education

The Jakarta government is stepping up education on the safe and rational use of medicines through the commemoration of World Pharmacists Day (WPD) 2026 at Jakarta City Hall on Friday (9/25). The event highlights the theme, 'Guard Medicine, Guard the Community: Strategic Collaboration to Realize a Medication-Smart Society.

Pharmacists are key drivers of rational drug use

Jakarta Assistant for People's Welfare Ali Maulana Hakim highlighted pharmacists' crucial role in promoting proper medication use to prevent drug abuse, illegal drug distribution, and antibiotic resistance.

"'Pharmacists are key drivers of rational drug use, offering proper therapy guidance, minimizing side effects, ensuring reliable drug supplies, and protecting residents from drug abuse and illegal circulation," he expressed, Friday (9/25).

North Jakarta, BBPOM Team Up for Stronger Food and Drug Monitoring

He noted that Jakarta is confronting increasingly complex health challenges, including self-treatment without proper awareness, antibiotic resistance, and the misuse of specific substances such as Tramadol, Dextromethorphan, Trihexyphenidyl, and Haloperidol.

Consequently, strict law enforcement must be complemented by preventive actions through educational initiatives involving pharmacists, families, PKK (Family Welfare Movement) cadres, authorities, and other key stakeholders.

Jakarta Health Agency Vice Head Savitri Handayana urged 61 newly inaugurated Agents of Change to expand safe drug education, reminding citizens to avoid buying medicines arbitrarily online."

"Don't buy drugs carelessly. We have adequate health facilities, from hospitals and puskesmas to home-care services," he explained.

She explained that education is also being extended to families regarding the dangers of hard drug abuse and the importance of verifying the legality of skincare products through BPOM (Indonesian Food and Drug Authority).

Her agency is also strengthening education through the DIMBA portal, household medicine screening with PKK cadres, and a medication adherence survey for diabetes mellitus.

Pharmacy and Medical Devices Junior Director for Health Ministry, Lucia Rizka Andalusia added that pharmaceutical services must be accompanied by accurate information for the public. Pharmacists need to ensure that the community understands how to properly use, store, and dispose of medications."

"Fellow pharmacists, once again, please be the front line in dispensing medicines, as well as in guarding and providing correct information education," she stated.

She also asked Agents of Change to share their knowledge locally, adding that Free Health Check (CKG) results must be followed by treatment access, monitoring, and patient adherence.

"Let us protect our society and build a healthy Indonesia for better human resources," she concluded.