Jakarta, Oct. 1 -- Indonesia's Defense Ministry has distributed 4.8 million vitamin tablets and 17.4 million doses of medicines to support the government's Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program and expand access to affordable healthcare, officials said on Wednesday.

Deputy Defense Minister Vice Marshal (Ret.) Donny Ermawan said the multivitamins were developed and produced by the Indonesian Defense Forces Pharmaceutical Institute (LAFI TNI).

"This product is designed to support the government's national MBG program," Ermawan said at a handover ceremony in Jakarta.

He added that the launch reinforced the role of pharmaceuticals in defense, citing LAFI TNI's production capacity in the millions as proof of its ability to manufacture quality ...