APL Introduces Tirzepatide to Strengthen Metabolic Disease Management in Indonesia

PT Anugerah Pharmindo Lestari (APL), a Zuellig Pharma company, has announced the introduction of tirzepatide in Indonesia. Tirzepatide is the first-in-class dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, offering a new evidence-based therapeutic option for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity. Type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity are closely interrelated metabolic diseases that continue to pose a growing public health challenge in Indonesia. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetes Atlas 2025, an estimated 20.4 million adults aged 20-79 years are living with diabetes in Indonesia, a figure projected to rise to 28.6 million by 2050. The 2023 Indonesian Health Survey (SKI) also recorded that the prevalence of obesity among adults has reached 23.4%, indicating a significant increase over the past decade. Both conditions substantially elevate the risk of serious complications, including cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease, while diminishing patients’ quality of life. This underscores the importance of a more comprehensive approach to managing metabolic diseases. APL President Director Christophe Piganiol stated that the arrival of tirzepatide represents a significant step in the company’s efforts to deliver impactful health innovations to the Indonesian people and ensure more patients can access appropriate therapy. “Through close collaboration with regulators, medical professional organisations, and healthcare workers, we aim to help improve the quality of life for patients while realising our goal of making quality healthcare more accessible,” he said in a written statement on Saturday (4/7/2026). The introduction of tirzepatide in Indonesia was made possible through close collaboration with the Indonesian Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM). Piganiol expressed appreciation for BPOM’s role in ensuring tirzepatide could reach patients, noting that marketing authorisation was granted within 98 working days. Furthermore, approval for the chronic weight management indication was obtained in just 42 working days via a reliance pathway, while maintaining safety, efficacy, and quality standards. The accelerated pathway, approved and implemented by BPOM since 1 August 2025, allows companies with a complete dossier already approved in a reference country to obtain approval within approximately 90 working days, thereby expediting patient access to innovative medicines. Head of BPOM Taruna Ikrar affirmed that every drug granted marketing authorisation has undergone rigorous scientific evaluation to ensure its safety, efficacy, and quality. “BPOM is committed to continuously building an adaptive regulatory ecosystem so that the Indonesian people can benefit from health innovations while upholding patient safety standards,” he said. As science advances, the approach to managing metabolic diseases continues to evolve. Tirzepatide works by activating two natural incretin hormones, GIP and GLP-1, which play key roles in regulating blood sugar levels, improving insulin sensitivity, and controlling appetite and energy balance. This dual mechanism of action provides a more comprehensive therapeutic approach for managing both type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity. Chairman of the Indonesian Endocrinology Society (PERKENI), Dr. Em Yunir, explained that various clinical studies have shown tirzepatide can deliver significant glycaemic control while also producing meaningful weight loss in patients with type 2 diabetes. “The presence of this innovation expands the therapeutic options for metabolic diseases, allowing doctors to further personalise treatment based on clinical characteristics, complications, and applicable clinical practice guidelines,” he remarked. Meanwhile, Chairman of the Indonesian Obesity Study Association (HISOBI), Prof. Dr. Dante Saksono Harbuwono, emphasised that obesity is a metabolic disease that must be managed appropriately. “Discussing obesity is not merely about body shape. Obesity is a problem of altered body metabolism. Therefore, the approach to managing obesity is crucial as a preventive measure to avoid further complications. By reducing obesity rates, we can directly lower the incidence of diabetes, reduce hypertension, and mitigate the risk of cardiovascular disease and other comorbidities,” he explained. Close collaboration between regulators, medical professional organisations, industry, and healthcare workers is expected to strengthen Indonesia’s efforts in addressing the rising burden of metabolic diseases. At the same time, increasing public awareness about the importance of access to appropriate therapy plays a vital role in improving patient health outcomes and supporting the realisation of a more resilient Indonesian healthcare system.