BPOM: Bio-TCV a Key Solution to Prevent Antimicrobial Resistance Threat

The Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) has stated that Bio-TCV, the first domestically produced typhoid conjugate vaccine resulting from a collaboration between the University of Indonesia and Bio Farma, is an important solution within the One Health ecosystem to curb the threat of antimicrobial resistance. BPOM Head Taruna Ikrar said in Jakarta on Friday that data from the Ministry of Health’s Early Warning and Response System (SKDR) recorded that throughout 2025, suspected typhoid cases reached 914,000, and by the 16th week of 2026, there were already 266,869 cases. “This figure places typhoid in the top five diseases in the SKDR,” he said. The high number of Salmonella typhi bacterial infections, he said, triggers massive antibiotic use in the community. Therefore, the presence of this typhoid vaccine is effective in preventing typhoid fever from the outset, thereby protecting the public from the risk of drug-resistant bacteria. “Self-sufficiency in medicines and vaccines is part of national resilience. Therefore, we must strengthen research and innovation so that Indonesia can produce health products by the nation’s children that meet global standards,” he said. His agency is committed to ensuring that the product provides benefits to the public by rigorously overseeing the vaccine’s innovation process, from upstream to downstream. BPOM supervised the implementation of clinical trials, which were entirely conducted in Indonesia in collaboration with Bio Farma and the Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia. BPOM actively ensures compliance with the latest Good Manufacturing Practices (CPOB) standards at the production facility, monitors the reliability of the cold chain in the distribution system, and conducts pharmacovigilance. Based on data from e-was.pom.go.id for the period January 2025–July 2026, two batches of the typhoid vaccine have been produced, totalling 84,719 vials. Meanwhile, Bio Farma data as of 13 July 2026 recorded total production equivalent to 208,235 doses, of which 30,875 doses have been distributed. “To ensure consistent quality in the field, BPOM’s technical implementation units in 2026 also conducted product sampling for re-testing at the National Centre for Drug and Food Testing Development laboratory,” he said. In agreement, President Director of PT Bio Farma Shadiq Akasya stated that this innovation is proof that cross-sector synergy can produce national health products ready for public use. “Bio-TCV is not just a new product, but the result of a long collaboration showing that Indonesia can develop its own vaccines. We hope that in the future, this vaccine can support the national immunisation programme,” he said. Meanwhile, Chairman of the FKUI Medical Expo 2026 Committee Mohammad Kurniawan said the Medical Expo serves as a platform to bring together academics, government, industry, and the public to strengthen the health innovation ecosystem in Indonesia. Through this synergy, he hopes more research can be commercialised into health products, strengthening national health resilience and increasing Indonesia’s competitiveness at the global level.