“Obat Modern Asli Indonesia or OMAI is a natural medicine derived from native Indonesian plants. Scientifically tested and modern pharmaceutics and has obtained status as a Standardised Herbal Medicine (OTH)," Raymond said, quoted from Prof. Rhenald Kasali's Youtube channel on Thursday (27/07/2023).
In the pharmaceutical world, Indonesian doctors are looking for drugs that have Evidence Based Medicine level 1 or drugs that have been statistically processed and conducted clinical trials.
"In the Faculty of Medicine, we are taught what level Evidence Based is. From 5 to 1, the most sought-after drugs are those that contain Evidence level 1, which means that statistically randomised clinical trials have been conducted, coupled with systematic reviews and meta-analyses," he explained.
In the creation of OMAI, Raymond faced several challenges in developing and creating new breakthroughs in healthcare. For him, innovating and finding a market are important challenges to solve.
"The first challenge is that every innovation must have a good idea and be accepted by the market. We also have a market, which is doctors. So, doctors must be able to prescribe medicines. Importantly enough, we have to do market surveys and so on. Once the medicine is finished, the next challenge is who will buy and who will pay," said Raymond.
As a drug produced in Indonesia, OMAI has gone through a series of rigorous clinical trials to ensure its safety and effectiveness. Unfortunately, the use of OMAI is still not widely found in the market because there are still few doctors who prescribe the drug.
"Currently, the use of Modern Original Indonesian Medicines is still not openly marketed because doctors still do not prescribe much," he explained.
As an affordable and effective medicine, OMAI contributes to improving access to healthcare for Indonesians. With the presence of OMAI, treatment for various diseases has become more accessible to people from all economic backgrounds.
Therefore, it is important to educate the public and educational institutions about this natural-based herbal medicine.
"Educational institutions must conduct many seminars and make the teaching curriculum about herbal medicine and natural ingredients. We have also done this challenge and the government in this case must also socialise together with the industry, how doctors can also prescribe in their Health Facilities," he concluded.
