‘Mau Cepat Sembuh’: The Use of Medicinal Agents in Java
Caroline Campbell, School of Humanities and Social Science, Newcastle University
One of the most distinctive aspects of personal health care in Java is the ubiquitous use of jamu (herbal mixtures). With an heritage stretching back centuries, Javanese are very proud of this tradition. Many say that they prefer to use jamu because of its lack of side effects in comparison to pharmaceuticals. This reputation was somewhat tarnished when in 2001 the Indonesian Food and Drug Administration withdrew thirty-five jamu products from the market because they contained a variety of potentially dangerous drugs. In Indonesia, like many developing countries with weak or ineffectual market regulation, pharmaceuticals are liberally dispensed by health professionals and public health facilities, and are readily available over-the-counter and through a thriving black market. Overuse of pharmaceuticals, often discussed under the rubric of ‘irrational’ or ‘inappropriate’ use, is now of particular concern because of the growing problem of resistance to first-line drugs and the threat to the effectiveness of health delivery programs. What accounts for this ever-increasing demand for potent pharmacological agents? This presentation will look at how patterns of morbidity, cultural practices, household economics, and the political economy of medicinal agents intersect in complex and unexpected ways.
