Semarang, C Java (ANTARA News) - The government will be firm against the rise of imported drugs which enter the domestic market by providing strict requirements standardization, trade minister has said.

"We show firm and tight stance against imported drugs such as from China by imposing the existing standards," Trade Minister, Mari Elka Pangestu, said here Wednesday on the sidelines of the corner stone laying function of a herbal medicine maker, PT Sido Muncul.

The trade ministry in cooperation with the Drug and Food Control Agency (BPOM) will jointly oversee the circulation of imported drugs, especially in view of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA), she said.

The requirements that should be met by the imported drugs include raw materials, packaging and the label which must be in Indonesian.

According to her, it is not fair in the drugs trading when the drug importation is allowed to circulate without strict supervision from the government.

"Even the local production of herbal medicines must meet all applicable national standards, moreover the imported products," minister Mari said, promising that her office will firmly impose the national standard for the imported drugs.

Minister Pangestu also reminded the consumers to ask about the use and effectiveness of herbal medicine they have purchased.

In addition, the producers and sellers should not provide false information about their products that is against the Consumer Protection Act, she warned.

In the meantime, PT Sido Muncul president director, Irwan Hidayat expressed optimism that his company`s products can compete with those of China.
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