BPOM Obtains WHO Listed Authority Status, Boosting Global Confidence in Indonesian Pharmaceutical Industry
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The success of Indonesia’s Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) in obtaining WHO Listed Authority (WLA) status from the World Health Organization brings positive impacts for the national pharmaceutical industry. WLA represents the highest form of recognition of the quality, integrity, and credibility of a country’s drug and food regulatory system.
This recognition places BPOM on equal footing with leading regulatory authorities in developed nations, such as Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Countries obtaining WLA status receive international recognition, allowing their pharmaceutical products and vaccines to be included in the list of products recommended by WHO.
BPOM Head Taruna Ikrar stated that Indonesia became the first developing nation to enter the WLA list. Previously, WLA status typically came from developed countries.
“This is a point of pride for us. The manifestation of benefits from WLA is significant because it is not easy to obtain and not all countries can achieve it, so we are entering an elite club—an elite for regulating standardisation of drug and food oversight globally. Therefore, the first advantage is naturally pride,” Taruna said during the Health Forum with the theme “BPOM Achieves WLA Status, What Are the Benefits for Business Actors?” on Tuesday (3 March 2026).
WLA proves that Indonesia has established drug and food oversight standards higher than other nations. Indonesia has surpassed several major countries such as China, India, and Russia, which to date have not obtained WLA status.
BPOM’s Deputy for Drug, Narcotics, Psychotropics, Precursor, and Addictive Substances Supervision William Adi Teja noted that several countries are interested in learning from Indonesia, which has obtained WLA status.
“Many countries have visited BPOM, including countries in the Middle East and Asia that want to learn how to enter WHO Listed Authority. They want to learn from us—countries like Japan, Singapore, Pakistan, and African nations want to know how to enter WLA and how to be recognised by WHO efficiently,” William explained.
He further noted that through this status, BPOM has not only successfully fulfilled its role as a regulator but also contributed to the national economy, which is targeted to grow by 8 per cent. Moreover, the pharmaceutical sector’s performance growth reached 10 per cent last year.
From this perspective, the pharmaceutical sector is believed capable of driving economic growth in Indonesia in the future. William therefore hopes that WLA status will make it easier for domestic pharmaceutical producers and industries to reach global markets.
Impact on Domestic Pharmaceutical Industry Players
Meanwhile, Bio Farma’s (Persero) Director and CEO Shadiq Akasya stated that WLA status is a point of pride for Indonesia. WLA also serves as proof of equality, ensuring that Indonesian medicine quality is recognised abroad.
“WLA can accelerate Bio Farma’s growth. Not only for existing products but also for future product development and exports, which will become easier. This is not just about business but about ecosystem—Indonesian products can be accepted in other countries,” he said firmly.
WLA status is believed to impact improving efficiency in developing new pharmaceutical products. In future, business actors will only need to collect documentation files when WHO inspections occur. Shadiq also hopes that BPOM’s WLA status will strengthen national health independence in both upstream and downstream sectors.
In detail, Shadiq stated that Indonesia needs greater effort in the upstream sector. In the downstream sector, Bio Farma currently produces 20 antigens and exports to 150 countries worldwide.
“Certainly with WLA this will be very attractive because products will be more trusted and this commands premium prices. Now with WLA, our standards become easier too because they align with those standards. This might also be an effort to further develop upstream capabilities,” Shadiq said.
According to Shadiq, WLA status obtained by BPOM will open more promising business opportunities related to developing new products. He believes that after WLA, Indonesia will be increasingly trusted by partner nations, not only regarding new products but also in providing clinical trial services. Bio Farma possesses competent clinical trial facilities.
Furthermore, Shadiq emphasised that WLA status will increase international confidence in domestic pharmaceutical industry players, including Bio Farma.
“The government can step in to support Indonesian companies entering other countries. WLA is something we must constantly improve ourselves for. WLA is not a guarantee but a strict filter from BPOM. WLA can expand supply chains and allow us to reach even wider markets,” he explained.
As a note, Bio Farma currently actively exports drugs and vaccines, with export revenue contributing 54 per cent of the company’s total revenue.
Additionally, Biotis Pharmaceuticals Indonesia’s Director and CEO FX Sudirman revealed that BPOM’s success in obtaining WLA status further confirms the quality of Indonesia’s pharmaceutical industry. Thus, the domestic pharmaceutical industry is increasingly confident in meeting medicine needs and achieving independence, especially for vaccine supply.
“However, with WLA status we possess a unique positioning. Indonesia as the sole developing nation obtaining this can drive us towards market expansion,” FX Sudirman explained.
He continued that Indonesia’s status as a G20 member nation is also a golden opportunity to consolidate its position in the global vaccine industry. To this end, FX Sudirman affirmed that Biotis will continue to improve its systems and expand its markets.
“So WLA can serve as a turning point for us to declare…”