Sido Muncul and the Faculty of Medicine of Andalas University Hold National Herbal Medicine Symposium to Support a Healthier Indonesia in line with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

The National Symposium on the utilization of herbal medicine organized by Sido Muncul and the Faculty of Medicine of Andalas University reflects a strong alignment with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The event positioned herbal medicine not only as a traditional health resource, but also as part of a broader effort to build a healthier and more self-reliant Indonesia through collaboration among academia, healthcare practitioners, and industry.

The symposium was held at the M. Syaaf Student Center Hall, Faculty of Medicine, Andalas University, Padang, on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, and was reported on April 17, 2025. It was organized by PT Industri Jamu dan Farmasi Sido Muncul Tbk through its flagship product Tolak Angin in partnership with the Faculty of Medicine of Andalas University, and around 300 participants attended in a hybrid format.

The event was convened to promote better understanding of herbal medicine as part of a holistic and sustainable healthcare solution. Organizers emphasized that herbal medicines today are produced through research-based and scientifically tested processes, and encouraged healthcare practitioners to be more open to traditional medicines that have undergone proper study.

The symposium also served as a platform for exchanging knowledge among researchers, medical professionals, and industry representatives. Sido Muncul noted that this was the 52nd national symposium it had organized, showing a sustained effort to connect industrial practice with academic expertise in the health sector.

Leaders from Andalas University highlighted that support from academic institutions and experienced private-sector partners is crucial in building a trustworthy herbal medicine system. Speakers also emphasized the importance of exploring Indonesia’s biodiversity as the basis for responsible and sustainable traditional and medical herbal treatment.

Through this collaboration, Andalas University reinforced its role in encouraging the scientific development of herbal medicine and supporting a more integrated health system. The event shows that partnerships between universities and industry can help translate local knowledge and scientific research into more credible, accessible, and sustainable health solutions for society.