BPOM Strengthens Collaboration with Pharmacists to Ensure Self-Medication Safety
In Indonesia, according to 2025 data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS), 78.43 per cent of the population engages in self-medication. The Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) is strengthening its collaboration and the strategic role of pharmacists to ensure public safety in self-medication (self-care) practices, which are becoming increasingly significant in the global health system transformation.
“In Indonesia, based on 2025 data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS), 78.43 per cent of the population performs self-medication,” stated the Head of BPOM, Taruna Ikrar, in Jakarta on Monday. According to Taruna, pharmacists play a key role directly related to the safety, quality, and education of the public in self-medication. Pharmacists hold a strategic position as the frontline guardians of pharmaceutical product quality.
Beyond ensuring that drug management and distribution comply with standards, he continued, pharmacists also serve as the link between science, regulation, healthcare practices, and community needs. Taruna also highlighted three main future challenges that the pharmacy profession must address. First, maintaining professionalism by continuously updating competencies alongside the rapid development of pharmaceutical sciences. Second, the high rate of self-medication demands that pharmacists engage more closely with the community through continuous health education.
He noted that competent and high-integrity pharmacists are primary assets in the national health system. Therefore, enhancing the competence and professionalism of pharmacists represents a long-term investment to strengthen the nation’s health resilience. Taruna explained that this strengthening must be pursued through adaptive regulations, cross-sector collaboration, and the active strategic involvement of pharmacists.
He further stated that safe and responsible self-medication requires a strong regulatory foundation to protect the public from irrational drug use, drug abuse, the circulation of illegal products, and health misinformation in digital spaces. BPOM is continuing to expand its Communication, Information, and Education (KIE) Programme by involving professional organisations and healthcare workers, including pharmacists. The goal of this programme is to increase public understanding regarding safe and rational drug use.
“Through collaboration, we are building a safe and responsible self-care system supported by a reliable distribution chain, an effective supervisory system, and the availability of trusted information,” said the Head of BPOM, Taruna Ikrar. He delivered these remarks during the SwipeRx Indonesian Pharmacy Expo & Conference (IPEC) 2026, which was attended by over 1,500 pharmacists, pharmacy graduates, and pharmacy vocational workers from various regions across Indonesia.