BPOM Denpasar Discovers Certain Drugs Being Misused and Circulating in Bali

Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan (BPOM) Denpasar has found several types of certain medicines that are being misused and circulating in Bali. The finding was disclosed at a press conference at the Balai POM Denpasar, on Wednesday, 20 May 2026.

Deputy for Enforcement at the BPOM RI, Inspector General Tubagus Ade Hidayat, said the eradication of these medicines is undertaken because of their health and mental health impacts on users.

‘Once health or mental health disturbances occur, the effects will appear in several sectors. Crime could increase, clashes could occur, because it affects the brain, the thinking, as it acts on the central nervous system. Therefore, it must be tackled, must be eradicated,’ Tubagus said at the press conference.

Tubagus revealed that the circulation of these medicines persists due to distribution leakages. He said Indonesia’s many entry points make BPOM and the Ministry of Health’s oversight vulnerable.

‘Why will this continue to exist? Because the drug abusers still demand them. Economic principle: as long as there is demand, there will always be suppliers,’ he explained.

Meanwhile, Acting Head of BPOM Denpasar Made Ery Bahari Hantana said the agency has been cooperating with a logistics company to trace the shipments of those medicines.

‘If you look at the total economic value from 2023, it is around Rp 200 million, with 173,000 tablets,’ he said.

However, Ery stressed that the main focus is not the economic value but the impact of the circulation of these medicines on the younger generation and health.

‘Me must prevent our young generation from dangers that could affect the country’s development,’ he added.

Since 2023, 15 people have been named as suspects. The circulation of these medicines is also said to be quite massive in Denpasar and Badung.

BPOM also held a Forum Group Discussion (FGD) on preventing the misuse of these medicines. The FGD involved several related agencies, from the BNN (National Narcotics Agency), pharmacists, the Health Office, to students.

(dpw/dpw)