Supporting the Healthy Nation Program, PT Ethica Industri Farmasi – a Subsidiary of Pyridam Farma Conducts Nutritional Research to Prevent Hypertension During Pregnancy
Jakarta, January 24, 2025 – One of Indonesia’s leading pharmaceutical companies, PT Pyridam Farma Tbk, also known as PYFAGROUP, through its subsidiary PT Ethica Industri Farmasi, is committed to supporting the health of pregnant women. To maintain the health of pregnant women, the primary step to consider is the nutrition they consume. According to the Ministry of Health’s website, pregnant women should have a good nutritional status and consume a variety of foods in both proportion and quantity. This is because mothers must meet the nutritional needs for themselves and for the growth and development of their fetus.
However, maintaining a healthy fetal development is not only about maintaining the mother’s nutrition in good condition but also avoiding or reducing excessive intake of unhealthy substances, one of which is consuming excessive amounts of table salt. A study conducted by Joel Guruh, et al. (2024) states that “consuming excess salt or sodium can increase the chances of experiencing hypertension by 16 times.”
“In their diet, pregnant women need to limit their consumption of sodium or table salt because it can increase blood pressure and this is very dangerous for pregnant women because it can cause the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, organ damage, and the risk of placental abruption (a condition where the placenta detaches from the uterine wall),” said Dr. Carlinda Nekawaty, Head of Medical Affairs at PYFAGROUP, in a press release (24/1).
Hypertension in pregnancy is the leading cause of maternal death in 2023. According to the 2023 Indonesian Health Profile by the Ministry of Health, the number of maternal deaths in Indonesia was 4,482 cases and as many as 410 cases (9.14%) were caused by hypertension in pregnancy. Therefore, it is important for mothers to limit consuming foods that can increase blood pressure, one of which is sodium or table salt.
As part of its commitment to supporting the Healthy Nation Program, especially for pregnant women, PYFAGROUP is currently conducting research to develop medical solutions that can help prevent and treat hypertension in pregnancy.
“It is targeted that in the first half of 2025, PYFAGROUP through its subsidiary PT Ethica Industri Farmasi will launch a new product that is the first and only one in Indonesia that can address the problem of hypertension in pregnancy and is expected to help reduce the maternal mortality rate in Indonesia,” said Dr. Carlinda Nekawaty.
Here are some important nutrients for pregnant women:
- Consuming Folic Acid and Folate
As stated on the Ministry of Health’s website, folic acid and folate are forms of vitamin B-9 and are important nutrients for pregnant women. Folate plays an important role in preventing birth defects in babies during pregnancy, such as serious abnormalities of the brain and spinal cord. Meanwhile, folic acid is a synthetic form of folate found in supplements and nutritious foods that can reduce the risk of premature birth. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the 4 foods with the highest folate content are spinach, beef liver, asparagus, and black-eyed peas.
- Consuming Foods Containing Calcium and Vitamin D
Pregnant women need to consume foods that contain calcium and vitamin D. According to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), pregnant women need 1000 mg of calcium and 600 IU of vitamin D per day, which is intended for the formation of strong bones and teeth in babies. Mothers can consume foods such as milk, various types of seafood and freshwater fish, eggs, cheese, and yogurt.
- Consuming Foods Containing Iron
Iron is the most important nutrient that pregnant women need to fulfill. This is because iron is used to make hemoglobin, which is in charge of carrying oxygen intake to body tissues. According to the Ministry of Health’s website, pregnant women need 27 mg of iron per day. If pregnant women lack iron, it can have an impact on the health of the mother and fetus, such as the risk of premature birth, babies born with low birth weight, and postpartum depression. According to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), mothers can consume foods such as lean red meat, poultry, fish, iron-fortified cereals, nuts, and green vegetables.
About PYFAGROUP
PT Pyridam Farma Tbk, known by the brand PYFAGROUP, is a publicly listed pharmaceutical company on the Indonesian Stock Exchange (Stock Code: PYFA) with business units comprising prescription drugs in various forms such as tablets, capsules, creams, and injections. PYFA has well-known subsidiaries, including PT Holi Pharma, PT Ethica Industri Farmasi, and Probiotec Pty Ltd.
Media Relations Contact:
Leilanie Nadia Kusuma
Website : www.pyfa.co.id
Email : corcomm@pyfa.co.id
