Healthcare Access Summit 2019: Innovation in Access to Medical Services to Strengthen the National Health System
July 24th, 2019
Patient access to innovative treatments is still a challenge for patients who rely on independent drug shopping, even for consumers in the middle class who have the potential to gain access to high-quality treatment.
A number of health industry experts believe that improving the ability to pay and support for patients in accessing innovative medicines are the main factors driving the quality of effective treatment in Indonesia.
According to World Bank data, Indonesian people's per capita health spending in 2016 was IDR 1.6 million (USD111.55) – the lowest in ASEAN – a result of limited access to high quality medicines.
Meanwhile, the middle class consumer population in Indonesia, which grew by 3% in 2017, is estimated to reach 85 million people by 2020 with a high new consumer growth rate of 5 million new consumers annually in urban areas.
"The growing middle class population provides an opportunity to create innovative treatment solutions for patients in Indonesia, in addition to the efforts that have been carried out by the government so far in increasing access for the wider community through the National Health Insurance (JKN)," said Anil Argilla, Country Manager of Pfizer Indonesia. & Cluster Lead for Indonesia, Singapore & Malaysia at the 2019 Healthcare Access Summit, organized by AmCham together with Pfizer Indonesia.
Based on data released by BPJS Kesehatan in May 2019, JKN continues to have a positive impact on more than 221 million people, an increase from 208 million last year.
Coupled with the growth of the middle class in Indonesia, there are opportunities to continue to develop access to modern and high-quality medicine in Indonesia.
Pfizer, IPMG and relevant health stakeholders continue to work closely with the Indonesian government in developing innovative treatment service schemes for the benefit of patients.
“The pharmaceutical industry continues to work closely with governments, policy makers and other stakeholders in the national health ecosystem to provide innovative treatment options for the benefit of patients.
"We are committed to developing access to innovative treatment and developing sustainable health care financing packages, so that patients can have access to quality health services," Anil added.
Jorge Wagner, Chairman of International Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group (IPMG) said, “The healthcare industry – private insurance, pharmaceutical companies, banks/financial institutions/fintech, hospitals and pharmaceuticals – has an important role to play in supporting governments and patients in particular in developing innovative solutions to the disease. access to medicines and in creating alternative financing schemes to reduce the burden on the Indonesian healthcare system.”
"It is very important to jointly build mechanisms that facilitate access to high-quality and innovative medicines in Indonesia through the development of practical and creative schemes to provide solutions to meet the unmet medical needs in Indonesia," said Jorge.
“Innovative access and financing models such as microfinance, digital access installment payments, healthcare platforms, and private insurance products specifically for chronic diseases, are meant to raise awareness and help patients pay off,” Jorge added.
