– “Tablets once difficult to import due to climate – now we make them ourselves”

Daewoong Pharmaceutical Osong Plant Formulation Research Center /

Indonesia Global Talent Program Batch 1, Rama

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Rama, who once worked on health policy and administrative affairs at the Indonesian Ministry of Health, had a clear aspiration: to contribute in meaningful, tangible ways to improving the quality of life for Indonesian citizens—not just through rules on paper, but with real pharmaceutical technologies. Fueled by this determination, he took a leap of faith and joined Daewoong.

Now, Rama is working at Daewoong's Osong plant in Korea—known for producing high-quality medicines that meet global standards—directly contributing to technology transfer and validation processes for solid dosage formulations. As Daewoong gears up to open a state-of-the-art production facility in Cikarang, Indonesia in 2029, Rama is preparing for that future from the frontline of pharmaceutical production.

Here is the story of Rama, who is growing at the very heart of the transformation of Indonesia’s pharmaceutical industry from a medicine-consuming to a technology-producing nation.

Interview Q&A

Q1. Hello, would you briefly introduce yourself and share how you joined Daewoong?

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Hello, I’m Rama, currently working in the Technical Operation Team under the Manufacturing Division at Daewoong Pharmaceutical. I started working at Daewoong in 2023 and it's now been two years since I began my journey in Korea, at the Osong plant which produces globally certified, high-quality pharmaceuticals.

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Previously, I worked in the Directorate General of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices under Indonesia’s Ministry of Health. The work was largely administrative and repetitive, and I reached a point where I felt my personal growth had stalled.

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That’s when I set a new goal—to go beyond policy-making and become a true expert working in the field of ‘meaningful technologies’ aligned with global pharmaceutical standards.

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Back in my university days at ITB, I was inspired by senior students who received Daewoong Scholarships and were immersed in their research, thanks to Daewoong's strong philosophy of nurturing talent. Many of my peers had also grown through the company, which reinforced my belief: “A company that invests in students would undoubtedly invest in its employees as well.”

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So, when Daewoong opened its Global Talent Program recruitment in 2023, I applied without hesitation.

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Q2. What has your journey at Daewoong and in Korea been like so far?

Hello, I’m Rama, currently working in the Technical Operation Team under the Manufacturing Division at Daewoong Pharmaceutical. I started working at Daewoong in 2023 and it's now been two years since I began my journey in Korea, at the Osong plant which produces globally certified, high-quality pharmaceuticals.

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Previously, I worked in the Directorate General of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices under Indonesia’s Ministry of Health. The work was largely administrative and repetitive, and I reached a point where I felt my personal growth had stalled.

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Validation is a crucial process to ensure that new formulations are consistently manufactured in line with their design quality. It involves determining process conditions, verifying equipment, and confirming product reproducibility, all in accordance with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) standards.

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Q3. It’s already your second year in Korea. Was it difficult adapting to life here as an expat starting your first full-time job?

At first, it was daunting to start fresh in a foreign environment. But thankfully, Daewoong provided full support to help international employees focus solely on their work.

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Daewoong’s Global Talent Program isn’t just about hiring—it’s about ‘All-Care’, supporting every aspect of settling in. From arranging a home, opening a bank account, and activating a mobile phone SIM, to providing newcomer guides and welcome kits, everything was well-prepared from day one, helping me adjust without major stress.

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Thanks to this care, I was able to immerse myself more quickly in my work and learning.

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Daewoong also offers a ‘Unlimited Learning Support’ system, allowing anyone to take courses of their choice through its e-learning platform.

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I personally took more than four Korean language lessons through the program and even gained the confidence to take on the TOPIK II exam (Test of Proficiency in Korean).

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Support systems designed to foster not just adaptation but also personal growth gave me a solid foundation and greatly accelerated my professional development.

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Q4. Have there been any particularly memorable projects or challenges?

Yes—the turning point for me was a project to improve the sterilization method for our soft-gel capsule product.

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It required a high level of technical expertise to preserve both the capsule shell's integrity and the stability of its heat-sensitive contents while ensuring the desired sterility level. It wasn’t just a simple experiment; it was a fundamental challenge in ensuring ‘formulation stability’.

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What made it even more special was how directly it related to the Indonesian market. Indonesia, with its hot and humid climate, typically only distributes medicines in powder and liquid forms. Capsule-based drugs—especially softgels—are extremely rare due to stability issues.

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That’s why sterility and stability in softgel formulations is such a crucial competitive advantage and valuable asset in the Indonesian pharmaceutical industry.

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I worked through this project along with my amazing mentor. I assisted in the experiment design, root cause analysis, and solution-building, reflecting any feedback from my mentor and supervisor. Most of all, it gave me real confidence and helped me internalize a key lesson: ‘technology doesn’t just end in the lab—it can transform real products, entire markets, and even the broader pharmaceutical landscape.’

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Q5. Has anything about Daewoong’s culture left a strong impression on you?

I’ve been especially impressed by Daewoong’s Career Development Program (CDP) and its unlimited education support.

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Through CDP, employees can rotate through different departments depending on their interests and skill sets.

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I’ve personally gained exposure to multiple divisions—QC, QA, and production technology—which helped me deepen my understanding and refine my specialization. The structured monthly feedback evaluations also helped me objectively recognize my strengths and areas for improvement, which was invaluable for career development.

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Q6. What challenges are you currently facing and what are your future goals?

Looking ahead, I want to further specialize and deepen my expertise in solid dosage formulations.

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Although hot, humid weather can challenge drug stability, Indonesia’s pharmaceutical market—dominated by generics—relies heavily on solid dosage forms: tablets and capsules remain the most common, supported by domestic manufacturers who account for roughly 95% of drug volume, and generics—which are mostly solid—made up a US $5 billion market in 2024.

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In addition, as Indonesia’s pharmaceutical industry progresses and patients call for more diverse and patient-centered drug options, demand for solid dosage forms is rising. Their portability, precise dosing, and improved adherence are particularly helpful for patients managing chronic illnesses.

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Daewoong's plan to build a solid dosage manufacturing plant in Cikarang, Indonesia by 2029 is a proactive move responding to this trend and technological demand.

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This new plant will not only reduce Indonesia’s over-reliance on imported medicines but also enable local production and technological autonomy in solid dosage formulations, making safer and more convenient medicines widely accessible for the Indonesian population.

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I aim to be at the center of this transition, building formulation and validation expertise so that solid dosage medicines can be reliably delivered to patients in Indonesia.

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It’s incredibly meaningful to be part of a journey where technology changes industries, and industries, in turn, improve people’s lives. This gives me both purpose and pride, and I genuinely hope to someday serve as an inspiration and stepping stone for other young talents starting their own brave journeys—just like I did.

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