The Issue of Free BPOM Standards is Denied, Imported US Drugs Must Meet National Rules

Head of the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) Taruna Ikrar (right) at a press conference in Jakarta, Wednesday (25/2/2026). ANTARA/Sean Filo Muhamad

JAKARTA - The Head of the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM), Taruna Ikrar, emphasized that imported food, medicine, and cosmetics from the United States must still have a Distribution Permit Number (NIE) before circulating in Indonesia.

The statement was made in response to issues related to the trade agreement on reciprocal tariffs or Agreements on Reciprocal Tariff (ART) which is said to make US health equipment and drug products no longer require BPOM standards because they have obtained permission from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States.

"It does not mean that all products from the United States enter Indonesia without going through the BPOM, because indeed the requirements of the law must still get the BPOM Distribution Permit Number," said Taruna in Jakarta, Antara, Wednesday, February 25.

Although BPOM and FDA both refer to World Health Organization standards, the authority to issue distribution permits in Indonesia remains with BPOM.

BPOM and FDA are themselves part of the World Health Organization (WHO)-Listed Authority, which means that both are recognized as having globally equivalent standards of oversight.

"All drugs that will be imported into Indonesia, the standard is the same. The requirement is that he must be able to get a Distribution Permit Number first in the United States which is called Marketing Authorization. After entering Indonesia, he must also get a Marketing Authorization from the POM Agency, in the form of a Distribution Permit Number for imported drugs," explained Taruna.

Taruna ensures that the quality, safety, and efficacy of imported products remain a priority, as a form of consumer protection in the country.

"The POM body will continue to play a role and will not be left behind. So drugs and anything imported from the United States must still meet the requirements," he said.

Previously, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya also emphasized that imported cosmetics and health products remained under the supervision of BPOM.

The product must have a distribution permit and certification before it can be marketed in Indonesia.

"Cosmetic products and health equipment must have certification from BPOM," said Teddy.