A Picture of Health

BIO FARMA produces seven types of vaccine, for export to 42 countries

A prime example of a profitable, state-owned Indonesian company, PT Bio Farma has carved out a reputation for quality in vaccine production.
Not only has PT Bio Farma succeeded in saving the lives of millions the world over through its support of international immunization programs, but its financial performance can also be considered a picture of health. In spite of unfavorable global and local economic conditions, Bio Farma emerged in 2001 with an enviable set of results, surpassing its revenue targets with a net profit of $14.62 million.

Since its establishment in 1890, Bio Farma has emerged as one of the blue chips of the Indonesian economy, a success founded on the efficiency of its quality control as much as on its long and distinguished history. The company’s reputation as a vaccine producer of international renown is second to none, as evidenced by the fact that Bio Farma is one of only 30 companies to have earned the World Health Organization (WHO) seal of approval to supply the world markets.

MARZUKI ABDULLAH President Director of Bio Farma

Marzuki Abdullah, President Director of Bio Farma, believes his company has a responsibility to the global community that stretches beyond Indonesia’s borders. “The mission of the company is to fulfill the domestic demand for vaccines through what we call the Expanded Program of Immunization (EPI). That’s why Bio Farma was established. Then, if we have excess production, we can contribute to other health programs in developing countries.” This commitment means that, through UNICEF, Bio Farma vaccines reach around 42 countries in Asia and Africa. What’s more, the company is at the heart of the WHO’s efforts to eradicate polio by 2010 as, in the words of Mr. Abdullah, “Bio Farma produces some 900 million doses of the polio vaccine, which is 50% of the world’s total.”

In November 2000, the company further increased its production capability by inaugurating a plant to produce Auto-Disabled Pre-Fill Injection Devices. A world first, this facility is set to play a vital role in the UNICEF-sponsored campaign to encourage safe injection, especially in the developing world.
Of course, funding such worthy products requires the assistance of both local and international donors. “The Indonesian government allocates much of its budget to paying for vaccines as it is much cheaper to prevent communicable diseases than to cure them,” explains Mr. Abdullah. “But we need to attract more funding from both international aid agencies and private donors to buy machinery and further develop our immunization programs against such diseases as HIV.”