Indonesia Already Produces PCR Test Kits; Gears Up to Boost Production

Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy gives a press statement at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Monday (22/6). (Photo by: BPMI)

The Government has announced that state-owned pharmaceutical company PT Bio Farma can already produce up to 50,000 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test kits per week.

According to Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, if the company can boost the production to up to 2 million units a month, domestic demands for the kits can be fulfilled.

According to him, he has conveyed the plan (to increase the production) to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and the President is very supportive of the plan.

“President Jokowi is very supportive and one of the facilities we will use is the building that was previously used for the production of avian influenza vaccine. We will convert it into a building to produce PCR test kits,” he said.

The Minister also pointed out the President has also agreed with the plan and Minister of SOEs in charge of state-owned pharmaceutical company PT Bio Farma, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing, and Minister of Health will immediately coordinate so that PCR test kits can be produced at home and the country no longer has to import the kits.

Indonesia has steadily ramped up its COVID-19 testing capacity from an average of around 4,000 specimens tested daily in April to around 13,000 specimens tested daily since the end of May. (HIM/EN)

Translator: Muhardi
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas