Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta.  The Food and Drug Agency (BPOM) has joined forces with the Ministry of Defense to address the persistently high prices of certain medicines.

“We know over 90% of our raw materials are imported, yet some drug prices remain higher than in neighboring countries. Involving the military through the Ministry of Defense may help improve our drug supply chain,” said BPOM Chief Taruna Ikrar on Tuesday (20/5/2025), as quoted by antaranews.com.

He noted that the Ministry of Defense already operates its own pharmaceutical institutions and medical facilities nationwide, which could help scale up domestic production.

Indonesia has over 240 pharmaceutical companies and 3,000 drug distributors, yet still struggles with raw material shortages. Some essentials like capsules are entirely imported.

Taruna added that the Defense Ministry has produced its own drugs, and BPOM will support by updating distribution permits or recalling expired products. Potential cooperation includes producing tuberculosis and malaria drugs, which are still urgently needed.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)