BPOM Tightens Supervision Of Natural Medicines, People Are Asked To Be Alert To Health Claims

The Director of Supervision of Traditional Medicines and Health Supplements of BPOM Badminton when opening the Advertising Coordination Forum and the Signing of Natural Medicines, Quasi Drugs, and Health Supplements at the BPOM Office, Jakarta, Friday (9/5/2025). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The use of natural ingredients as an alternative to treatment is increasingly in demand by the public. However, it is important to remain alert to the effectiveness and safety of these products.

Not all natural medicines circulating in the market have been scientifically tested, so the supervision of the authorities is very crucial to protect the public from health risks.

As an effort to protect consumers, the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) affirms its commitment to strengthen supervision of natural medicinal products that are widely sold.

The Director of Supervision of Traditional Medicines and the BPOM Health Supplement, Badminton, stated that supervision intensification was carried out as a strategic step in ensuring product security.

"We really hope that business actors will not only think about business. The sustainability of products is determined by quality and safety, not just advertising packaging," said the Director of Supervision of Traditional Medicines and Health Supplements BPOM Badawati when opening the Advertising Coordination Forum and the Signing of Natural Medicines, Quasi Medicines, and Health Supplements at the BPOM Office, Jakarta, as quoted by ANTARA.

This increase in supervision also responded to a surge in public demand for natural medicine as an alternative to maintaining health. Badminton explained, based on data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the pharmaceutical sector which includes chemical and traditional drugs recorded growth of 3.08 percent in the third quarter of 2024.

Meanwhile, exports of pharmaceutical products, including drugs made from nature, increased by 8.78 percent in 2023, with a value of 543.7 million US dollars.

From an economic perspective, the natural drug industry has great potential to develop, especially because the majority of its business actors are Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Data from the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs noted that since 2020, around 87.2 percent of drug industry players made from the MSME sector have come from the MSME sector.

However, the growth of this industry must be accompanied by strict supervision so as not to endanger consumers. Badminton emphasized the need for compliance with national regulations and international standards in the production and distribution of natural drugs.

In the Advertising Coordination Forum and the Signing of Natural Medicines, Quasi Drugs, and Health Supplements which took place at the BPOM Office, Jakarta, last Friday, badminton also highlighted the importance of collaboration between producers and distributors. The forum with the theme "Exclusive Contracts, Permanent Collective Responsibility" aims to encourage synergy in ensuring compliance with advertising regulations and product labeling.

"This industry has a great opportunity, but it must be built with the principles of sustainability and regulatory support and consistent supervision," he concluded.