BPOM pushes for collaboration to boost pandemic response and clinical trials

The Indonesian Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) is advocating for enhanced collaboration between academia, business, and government to accelerate pandemic response and strengthen the nation's medical self-reliance. BPOM Head Taruna Ikrar emphasized the importance of the ‘100 Days Mission’ to ensure that pathogens can be identified and vaccines made available rapidly during future health crises.

To support this, BPOM is inviting both domestic and international pharmaceutical companies to invest in Indonesia's clinical trial ecosystem. Ikrar noted that while clinical trials are expensive, Indonesia offers diverse research cases and necessary facilities. The agency is currently drafting regulations to create a more supportive environment for these trials, focusing on building an integrated ecosystem involving the Ministry of Health, hospitals, and research facilities.

Separately, Bio Farma is undergoing a business transformation and financial restructuring. Following the formation of the State-Owned Enterprise Pharmacy Holding in 2020, the company has focused on organizational restructuring and improving business fundamentals to ensure efficiency and capital stability through methods such as supply chain financing and project financing.