BPOM Reveals Increase in Ketamine Misuse from 2022 to 2024

The Head of the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM), Taruna Ikrar, has revealed a rising trend in ketamine misuse in Indonesia from 2022 to 2024. BPOM is committed to tightening supervision over ketamine.

This was stated by Taruna during a working meeting at Commission IX of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Monday (20/4/2026). Taruna noted a significant increasing trend in the distribution of ketamine.

“We want to explain the strategy for strengthening the supervision of certain pharmaceutical preparations that are often misused, as in our earlier report, specifically for ketamine, we see that in 2022, 2023, and 2024, there has been a very significant increase,” said Taruna during the meeting.

“From 134,000 in 2022, distributed to pharmacies and health service facilities (fasyankes), it rose to 235,000 in the following year and 440,000 in 2024,” he added.

He stated that the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) cannot take action on ketamine misuse. Taruna explained that supervision and enforcement are under BPOM’s authority.

“Why? Because the National Narcotics Agency cannot act. But the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency can act because ketamine is not classified as a narcotic,” he said.

His agency has issued BPOM Regulation No. 12 on certain medicines. Ketamine is included among the drugs whose distribution is regulated.

“Therefore, after we implemented it, including the distribution of ketamine to pharmacies, following the issuance of BPOM Regulation No. 12 on Certain Medicines, it turned out that there was a downward trend in 2025,” he said.

BPOM is preparing several measures to prevent ketamine misuse. The agency will launch a national action on the misuse of certain medicines.

“And of course, this requires a specific strategy to ensure health, especially concerning our future generations. This involves mobilising stakeholders and public education against the misuse of certain medicines,” said Taruna.

“Then we will also carry out youth movement participation against the misuse of certain medicines and the launch of an information system for the anti-misuse movement of drugs and food. Insyaallah, we will carry out a national action on prevention of misuse and request support in this context,” he added.