BPOM provides flexibility in raw material procurement to tackle rising drug prices

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) is providing ease in packaging changes and flexibility in raw material procurement to address the rise in drug prices caused by the weakening of the Rupiah against the US Dollar (USD).

“Some of the policies implemented include simplifying packaging changes and providing flexibility in raw materials, for example, allowing companies to switch from a supplier in one country to a supplier in another. These policies have been established and are expected to suppress or at least stabilise drug prices,” said the Head of BPOM, Taruna Ikrar, following the Kick Off of the 2026 Herbal Medicine Week at the BPOM Office, Jakarta, on Tuesday.

Taruna acknowledged that the weakening of the Rupiah against the US Dollar does indeed affect the price of medicinal raw materials, most of which are still imported, necessitating pharmaceutical industries to adjust prices to remain viable.

Nevertheless, he continued, BPOM continues to collaborate with various parties to ensure that price increases do not become excessive through the various facilities provided to the pharmaceutical industry.

“The price increases due to the strengthening of the US Dollar, the ongoing war situation, and the rising cost of raw materials cannot be denied. However, the government hopes that the increase in drug prices will not be extreme, and various steps have been prepared to control the impact,” he stated.