Indonesia strengthens drug oversight and pharmaceutical independence

The Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) and the Indonesian Pharmacists Association (IAI) are seeking to strengthen strategic synergy to build national drug resilience and pharmaceutical industry independence. BPOM Head Taruna Ikrar highlighted that Indonesia remains heavily dependent on imports, noting that approximately 94 percent of national raw material needs for medicine were met from abroad in 2025.

In a related effort to ensure public safety, IAI officials are advocating for increased pharmacist supervision regarding medicine sales in modern retail outlets such as minimarkets, supermarkets, and hypermarkets. Hendy Ristiono of the IAI Yogyakarta regional office emphasized the need for oversight, particularly for medicines containing precursors like phenylpropanolamine, ephedrine, and pseudoephedrine. Such substances require careful management to prevent health risks and the potential diversion of materials for the production of narcotics or psychotropic drugs.

To support these safety measures, there are calls for retail staff to undergo Ministry of Health-certified training and for pharmacists to provide supervision to ensure medicines are used according to clinical needs.