BPOM Gains WHO Listed Authority Status: Indonesia's Drug and Vaccine Competitiveness Strengthened

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – CNBC Indonesia hosted a Health Forum with the theme “BPOM Achieves WLA Status, What Are the Benefits for Business Operators?” to comprehensively examine the impact of Indonesia’s Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) receiving recognition from the global health body and being placed on the WHO Listed Authority (WLA) register.

William Adi Teja, Deputy for Drug, Narcotics, Psychotropics, Precursor and Addictive Substance Supervision at BPOM, stated that BPOM achieved WLA status by successfully meeting nine criteria established by the WHO, including efficiency and the integrity of BPOM’s evaluation of drug and vaccine products entering Indonesia, which is now at par with developed nations.

BPOM will continue to maintain and preserve its WLA status, which is reviewed every five years. From the business perspective, Bio Farma’s Chief Executive Officer, Shadiq Akasya, described BPOM’s achievement as a form of global recognition of the equivalence of Indonesian product quality with international standards. This will also drive efficiency and facilitate the development and export of Indonesian pharmaceutical products.

For vaccine producers, the achievement by BPOM, according to Biotis Pharmaceuticals Indonesia’s Chief Executive Officer, FX Sudirman, will support the development of domestically produced vaccines, particularly regarding the credibility of Indonesian products being able to match those of developed nations.

Andreas Donny Prakasa, Director of Corporate Relations and Strategic Affairs at PT Etana Biotechnologies Indonesia, noted that the elevation of BPOM’s status will have a significant impact on the biopharmaceutical industry as it can strengthen producer confidence in drug and vaccine manufacturing whilst boosting the competitiveness of Indonesian products.

The Health Forum, held on Friday, 27 February 2026, featured discussions among BPOM’s Deputy for Drug, Narcotics, Psychotropics, Precursor and Addictive Substance Supervision William Adi Teja, Bio Farma Chief Executive Officer Shadiq Akasya, Biotis Pharmaceuticals Indonesia Chief Executive Officer FX Sudirman, and Etana Biotechnologies Indonesia’s Director of Corporate Relations and Strategic Affairs Andreas Donny Prakasa, moderated by Shafinaz Nachiar.