UMKT Pharmacy Hosts National Seminar on the Theme: Bioprospecting of Natural Raw Materials for Medicine and the Role of Pharmacy in IKN

umkt.ac.id - Samarinda, On Sunday, August 20, 2023, at 09.00 WITA, a National Seminar with the theme "Bioprospecting of Natural Raw Material Sources for Drugs and the Role of Pharmacy in the National Capital in the Clinical Application of Tuberculosis" was held via Zoom Meeting (Online). This event was attended by experts, researchers, and pharmacy practitioners aiming to discuss the potential of natural raw material sources for drugs and the role of pharmacy in the clinical management of tuberculosis.

This seminar featured various expert speakers in their fields, such as the first speaker at this national seminar, Pungky Widiaryanto, S.Hut, M.Sc, Director of Forestry and Water Resources Utilization Development, IKN Authority, who presented a very interesting topic with the theme "The Wealth of Natural Resources in the Nusantara Capital." This material explained the development of the new capital city in Indonesia, which consists of three main areas, aiming to drive the economy and utilize biodiversity. Mr. Pungky emphasized that this plan will not damage the forests of Kalimantan or the global environment; instead, it will improve current conditions. Although it strives to create a "forest city," this development will not excessively disturb the forest. Of the 177,000 hectares of green area, most have already been damaged by activities such as agriculture, mining, and palm oil plantations. The main focus of this project is to achieve carbon neutrality (IKN) by involving the community in adaptive forest management. Emphasis is also placed on the protection and preservation of biodiversity, including endangered and high-value species, by ensuring the quality, connectivity, and security of wildlife habitats. Thus, this project is committed to achieving sustainable development that respects the environment and natural ecosystems.

The second speaker was Dr. Sylvia Utami Tanjung Pratiwi, S.Si, M.Si, a Lecturer at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Gadjah Mada University / Secretary of the Doctoral Program in Pharmacy UGM, with a presentation themed "Drug Discovery from Natural Sources for Infection Treatment." This material discussed the discovery of drugs from natural sources for infection treatment, which has become an important focus in addressing the challenges of evolving infectious diseases, including newly emerging ones like Covid-19. Infections result from interactions between factors such as host susceptibility, pathogens, and supportive environments. Although antibiotics have been the mainstay for treating infections, microbial resistance to antibiotics has driven a shift in treatment approaches, with increasing research exploring the potential of natural sources. Natural sources have a long history in traditional medicine and have yielded valuable compounds for combating infections. Compounds such as alkaloids, morphine, quercetin, and curcumin have been proven to have antimicrobial activity. In fact, most antibiotic drugs originate from natural sources, both terrestrial and marine. The use of natural sources in infection treatment must consider careful extraction processes, but their potential and sustainability are very promising.

The third speaker was Dr. Apt. Maya Dian Rakhmawatie, M.Sc, a lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine, Muhammadiyah University of Semarang, presenting material themed "Antimycobacterial Products from Natural Source Microbial Secondary Metabolites." This material explained the development of antimycobacterial therapy for TB, involving combination drugs such as bedaquiline (BDQ), delamanid, and pretomanid discovered 60 years ago. The goal is to shorten therapy duration, simplify regimens, and address MDR/XDR TB and TB/HIV. Research is directed towards natural sources, including microbes like Streptomyces sp., to produce secondary metabolites with potential as antimycobacterial drugs. The production process involves steps from pre-culture to testing antimycobacterial activity after metabolite extraction. Challenges include dereplication of known compounds, innovation of secondary metabolites, mass production, and clinical trials. Efforts are also made with enzymes from microbes like Bacillus subtilis subsp subtilis HSFI-9 and Streptomyces olivaceous to tackle mycobacterial biofilms. In the context of TB, the development of antimycobacterial therapy continues to be pursued to find more effective solutions in managing this disease.

The fourth speaker was Dr. apt. Nanang Munif Yasin, S.Si., M.Pharm, a Lecturer at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada / Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs at FF UGM, who delivered an extraordinary presentation on the theme "Implementation of Medication Therapy Management (MTM) Based Services in TB Therapy." This presentation explained the evolution of the pharmacist's role in pharmaceutical services, which has undergone a significant transformation from merely dispensing prescriptions to a more holistic and inclusive role. Medication Therapy Management (MTM) is an approach that connects pharmacists with patients, doctors, and medical teams in managing health comprehensively. In the context of MTM-based Tuberculosis (TB) services, pharmacists play a role in individual assessment, therapy planning, monitoring and evaluation, problem management, education, and collaboration with the medical team. This approach aims to enhance the effectiveness of TB treatment, prevent drug resistance, and improve patients' quality of life. Through this evolution and transformation, the pharmacist's role increasingly demonstrates a commitment to more comprehensive and patient-oriented healthcare services.

The fifth speaker was apt. Eka Siswanto, S.Farm, M.Sc, a Lecturer at the Samarinda School of Health Sciences/PD IAI East Kalimantan, who presented on the theme "The Duties and Roles of Pharmacy in TB Control." This presentation discussed how, in 2020, Indonesia contributed 8.4% of the total global Tuberculosis (TB) cases. It is estimated that there are 800,000 new TB cases each year, with a mortality rate reaching 98,000 people, equivalent to 11 deaths per hour. TB control requires synergy from various parties through government programs, humanitarian organizations, institutions such as USAID, health professions, healthcare practitioners, and community participation.

The sixth speaker was Apt. Muh. Irham Bakhtiar, M.Clin.Pharm, a Lecturer at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Muhammadiyah Kalimantan Timur, who delivered a presentation on the theme "Drug Related Problem (DRP) on Clinical Outcomes in Tuberculosis Patients." This presentation discussed various aspects related to Tuberculosis (TB) and issues related to treatment and drug resistance in the Indonesian context. It was found that Indonesia contributes a significant proportion of global TB cases and faces challenges in overcoming drug resistance and managing appropriate drug therapy. Drug Therapy Monitoring (DTM) becomes crucial to ensure the effectiveness of therapy and minimize the risk of adverse drug reactions. Mr. Irham highlighted the importance of considering drug interactions in TB treatment, especially in patients also using corticosteroids. The use of drugs such as rifampicin and allopurinol has interaction potentials that need attention. The alignment of treatment and broad healthcare services, including Drug-Resistant TB (DR-TB) services, is also a key focus in TB control efforts.

The final speaker at this seminar was apt. Deasy Nur Chairin Hanifa, M.Clin.Pharm, a Lecturer at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Muhammadiyah Kalimantan Timur/ WD 2 for Resources, Research, Community Service, and Publication at FF UMKT, who presented on the theme "The Role of CIE in Tuberculosis Management." This presentation explained the understanding of communication and risk factors for Tuberculosis (TB). Communication involves messages from the communicator to the communicatee through various channels with the aim of providing the desired impact. TB risk factors include age, nutrition, contact history, environment, and behavior, which are the focus of priority health programs. The role of Communication, Information, and Education (CIE) is crucial for understanding TB symptoms and educating the public about the importance of treatment. Interpersonal communication and digital media, in particular, play a vital role in conveying health information, especially in raising awareness of the importance of immediate diagnosis and treatment for TB.

They delivered presentations and case studies on bioprospecting efforts in searching for natural raw materials with the potential to address tuberculosis. Additionally, the speakers discussed the role of pharmacy in developing appropriate drug formulations, effective dosages, and optimal clinical management.

This seminar not only invited outstanding speakers but also special guests, such as;

1. Dr. apt. Hasysrul Hamzah, S. Farm., M. Sc as Deputy IV for Student Affairs at Universitas Muhammadiyah Kalimantan Timur
2. Apt. Dwi Lestari, M.Si as Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy at Universitas Muhammadiyah Kalimantan Timur
3. Dr. Donni Irfandi Alfian, Sp.P., FISR. as Chairman of KOPI TB Kalimantan Timur
4. Dr. Yanti Evi Arlini Gultom, Sp.P. as Chairperson of DPPM Samarinda
5. Apt. Wisnu Cahyo Prabowo, M.Si. as Chairperson of PC IAI Samarinda
6. Dr. Apt. Arsyik Ibrahim, M,Si. as Chairperson of PD IAI Kalimantan Timur
7. Romi Hendra, SKM as TB Pulmonary Program Holder at the Health Office of East Kalimantan Province
8. H. Muhammad Faisal, S.Sos., M.Si. as Chairperson of PD PAFI Kalimantan Timur

One of the highlights of this seminar was the panel discussion session involving experts, researchers, and pharmacy practitioners. They actively shared their experiences, thoughts, and perspectives regarding the challenges and opportunities in utilizing natural materials as sources of raw materials for medicine and the role of pharmacy in handling clinical cases of tuberculosis. The discussions created a space for collaboration and the exchange of innovative ideas. This National Seminar is expected to be an initial step in enhancing understanding and collaboration in the bioprospecting of raw material sources from natural materials and the role of pharmacy in the clinical management of tuberculosis in the nation's capital. It is hoped that the outcomes of this seminar will make a significant contribution to the global efforts to reduce the impact of tuberculosis and improve the quality of life for the community.