BPOM Prioritizes Domestic Products to Enter the Red and White Cooperative

Head of BPOM Taruna Ikrar. (Teddy VOI)

JAKARTA - The Food and Drug Supervisory Agency ensures that imported cosmetics are not a priority in the Red and White Village / Village Cooperative. Products that enter the cooperative network will be more directed at domestic production results.

Head of BPOM Taruna Ikrar said the policy was in line with the government's efforts to expand the market for local products, including cosmetics made by micro, small, and medium enterprises.

"Of course not. Focus more on our domestic products," said Taruna at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, Wednesday, July 15.

However, this approach cannot be immediately applied to all health products. Taruna said the national pharmaceutical industry still depends on raw materials from abroad.

"If we talk about pharmaceutical products, we know that the majority of the raw materials are imported. So, of course, we will talk about it later," he said.

BPOM is still waiting for the agenda and direction of the President regarding the regulation of pharmaceutical products in the Red and White Cooperative program. For local cosmetics products, his agency promises to accelerate the licensing process. However, Taruna emphasized that safety standards would not be relaxed.

"We will make it easier to get a permit. But the safety standard cannot be lowered," he said.

According to Taruna, many requests for permits from business actors have been received. BPOM is now looking for ways to make the process go faster.

This policy opens up greater opportunities for village cosmetics products to enter the cooperative network. However, market access still depends on the fulfillment of safety requirements and distribution permits.

Taruna has not explained whether the government will set special quotas for local products or the procedures for their selection at the cooperative level.