BPOM strengthens regulations and global collaboration through visit to Singapore

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) is strengthening regulations and international collaboration through a working visit to Singapore to support domestic health innovations. Head of Indonesian BPOM, Taruna Ikrar, stated in a written release in Jakarta on Friday that the visit forms part of BPOM’s efforts to reinforce Indonesia’s position as a globally recognised regulatory authority, in line with achieving WHO-Listed Authority (WLA) status in December 2025. During the working visit, he carried out several agendas, including meetings with several strategic institutions, among others the Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (ASTAR), Singapore General Hospital (SGH), and the Duke-NUS Centre of Regulatory Excellence (CoRE Duke-NUS). In addition, he had the opportunity to serve as a speaker at the Global Health Public Lecture at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore. In the public lecture at NUS, Taruna Ikrar presented a paper titled “Elevating Indonesia as a Trusted Global Authority through WHO Listed Authority (WLA)”. He explained the achievement of WLA status, one of which is the result of strengthening science-based regulatory systems and global collaboration. “These meetings provide an opportunity to reaffirm established partnerships and align future strategic priorities,” Taruna said. The next series of agendas saw BPOM visiting ASTAR, Singapore’s national research institution that serves as the main driver of science, technology, and innovation (STI) development. The day’s discussion topics highlighted research and innovation aspects, particularly in the development of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP). In line with this, he explained that BPOM has prepared a regulatory framework through BPOM Regulation No. 8 of 2025 on Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP). BPOM is also optimising regulatory mechanisms for investigational new drugs (IND) to support the acceleration of innovative drug development. Through the series of bilateral working visits to Singapore, BPOM has reaffirmed its commitment to continuously strengthening an adaptive, transparent, and evidence-based regulatory system. Meetings with various health sector stakeholders in Singapore also encourage the sustainability of cross-country collaboration in addressing global health challenges.