Diabetes and Obesity Rates Climb, Access to Innovative Medicines Expanded
The burden of metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes continues to rise. Data from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetes Atlas 2025 recorded that 20.4 million Indonesians aged 20–79 years are living with diabetes. This figure is projected to increase to 28.6 million by 2050. Meanwhile, the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey (SKI) showed that the prevalence of obesity in adults has reached 23.4 percent, a significant increase from a decade earlier. Both conditions are known to elevate the risk of serious complications, such as cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease, whilst diminishing patients’ quality of life.
President Director of APL, Christophe Piganiol, highlighted the importance of tirzepatide, a dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, for the management of type 2 diabetes and obesity. According to APL, the launch of tirzepatide in Indonesia was made possible with the support of the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM). The drug received marketing authorisation within 98 working days, whilst approval for the chronic weight management indication was obtained in just 42 working days through a reliance mechanism.
The accelerated evaluation scheme, implemented by BPOM since 1 August 2025, allows innovative medicines that have been approved in reference countries and possess complete documentation to be processed within approximately 90 working days. This policy is expected to expedite patient access to innovative diabetes therapies without compromising safety, efficacy, or quality standards. Head of BPOM, Taruna Ikrar, affirmed that every medicinal product granted marketing authorisation still undergoes a thorough scientific evaluation. “BPOM is committed to building an adaptive regulatory ecosystem so that the Indonesian public can benefit from health innovations whilst upholding patient safety standards,” he stated.
Scientifically, tirzepatide works by activating two natural incretin hormones, GIP and GLP-1. This mechanism helps control blood sugar levels, improves insulin sensitivity, reduces appetite, and maintains energy balance. This approach is considered to offer more comprehensive benefits in the management of type 2 diabetes and obesity. The Chairman of the Indonesian Society of Endocrinology (PERKENI), Em Yunir, noted that clinical studies have demonstrated the therapy’s effectiveness. “Various clinical studies show that tirzepatide can provide significant glycaemic control whilst producing meaningful weight loss in patients with type 2 diabetes. This innovation expands the therapeutic options for metabolic diseases, allowing doctors to further personalise treatment based on clinical characteristics, complications, and applicable clinical practice guidelines,” he explained.