Apotek Alpro highlights the importance of personalized, professional consultations by community pharmacists to address the issue of self-prescribing by nearly half of Indonesians.
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Jakarta, December 7, 2024 — Apotek Alpro, Malaysia's largest prescription pharmacy chain, has officially entered the Indonesian market on Saturday (7/12), with commitments to guarantee 100% authentic medicine. With over two decades of experience, Alpro aims to enhance access to trusted healthcare and support communities through professional pharmacy services.
As reported by WHO, counterfeit and illegal medicines remain as significant challenges, particularly in developing countries including Southeast Asia. Apt. Lee Yin Chen, Alpro Chief Executive Officer stated, “We acknowledge the pharmacy industry’s challenges, and as Indonesia’s health-conscious population grows, our mission is to make quality healthcare accessible and inclusive for Indonesian families. In 2025, we aim to serve over 50,000 customers every day with our personalized services, aligning with Alpro’s vision to create a healthier and vibrant world.”
Counterfeit and illegal medicines continue to threaten consumer trust. Last year, the news was buzzing over the police’s seizure of over 77,000 counterfeit medicines worth Rp130b circulating in Indonesia. In addition, according to the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey (SKI), nearly half (47.1%) of Indonesians purchase medication without a doctor’s prescription, posing risks to health.
Apt. Rupa Lesty, Alpro Chief Category Officer emphasized the critical role of pharmacists other than ensuring authentic medication from trusted supply chains, “Our responsibilities go beyond dispensing prescriptions. We help prevent self-prescription by guiding patients on proper usage, potential interactions, and personalized care, as simple as educating the difference between OTC and limited OTC medicines. Pharmacists must be trusted, and professionalism is what we are committed to delivering.”
In line with this, Alpro ensures one pharmacist is available in every store for professional consultation and health check-ups. Additionally, Alpro offers free blood pressure tests at every store as an entry point for detecting potential health issues, underscoring Alpro’s commitment to delivering accessible healthcare services for customers.
“Certain medications should not be taken together, or interactions may occur with specific foods. It is undeniable that the authenticity of medicine and the role of pharmacists must go hand in hand. Even authentic medication can be ineffective or unsafe if taken in the wrong dosage or without proper guidance. This is particularly important for pregnant women and children to be aware of,” said Apt. Ferry Rimbawan, Alpro Training Branch Manager.
Recognizing the importance of pharmacists to the community, Alpro has also recently signed an MoU with Pancasila University on December 3, 2024 to enhance the quality of pharmacists in Indonesia. The collaboration offers training for students to gain valuable international industry experience as Temporary Registered Pharmacist (PRP).
With over 200 branches across Indonesia, Alpro is committed to providing customers with peace of mind by combining high-quality medicines with expert pharmacists to improve the community’s quality of life. To further enhance customer convenience, Alpro also offers a free 30-minute delivery service, bringing medicine directly to your door from the nearest Alpro pharmacy.
