In an exclusive interview with detikcom, Taruna Ikrar revealed that one of the main priorities emphasized by President Jokowi is addressing the escalating issue of drug prices.
He explained that high drug prices often become a barrier for people to receive the care they need, prompting many citizens to seek treatment abroad—a phenomenon he believes must be tackled with strategic measures.
“President Jokowi has asked BPOM to play a more significant role in controlling drug prices. This is crucial because high drug prices impact BPJS Health, which has to bear greater costs,” Taruna Ikrar stated during an interview at the BPOM office on Jalan Percetakan Negara, Central Jakarta. He added that the costs borne by BPJS Health often become an additional burden on the national budget.
Taruna Ikrar Reveals His First Priorities
To address high drug prices, Taruna Ikrar plans to enhance cooperation between BPOM, the government, and pharmaceutical associations. According to him, effective collaboration among all parties is essential to make the procurement and distribution of drugs more efficient.
“We need to ensure that the drug procurement process is well-regulated from start to finish. Collaboration among various parties is crucial to achieving this goal,” said Taruna Ikrar.
Taruna Ikrar also highlighted the challenges associated with drug raw materials, most of which are still imported and subject to taxes. He believes that these high import costs contribute to the expensive prices of drugs.
He hopes that with better regulation, drug prices can become more affordable, at least on par with neighboring Southeast Asian countries.
“Most of the drug raw materials come from abroad and are quite costly. When they enter Indonesia, these drugs are subject to taxes and additional costs that drive up the final price. We will seek ways to address this issue to make drug prices more competitive,” Taruna Ikrar explained.
One of the strategic steps Taruna Ikrar plans to take is to strengthen BPOM’s regulations and standards to align with those of advanced countries such as the United States, Japan, and India.
According to him, improving BPOM’s regulatory quality will help ensure that drugs circulating in Indonesia are not only safe and effective but also more affordable.
“Our regulatory standards must meet international benchmarks. This is important for BPOM to become a globally recognized and respected drug regulatory agency. We are committed to enhancing regulatory quality and oversight to ensure that the drugs reaching the public meet high standards,” he stated.
Taruna Ikrar also emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in the drug regulation and oversight processes. He believes that a more transparent system will foster greater public trust in BPOM.
“We will ensure that every step in the drug oversight process is conducted with full transparency so that the public can be confident that the drugs they consume are of the highest quality,” he asserted.
As the new Head of BPOM, Taruna Ikrar also plans to implement internal reforms to improve the agency’s operational efficiency. He hopes that these changes will make BPOM more responsive to the challenges and needs of the public.
“Internal reform is a crucial step to ensure that BPOM functions more efficiently and effectively. We will continue to strive to improve performance and service to make a positive impact on society,” Taruna Ikrar concluded.
With a clear vision and commitment, Taruna Ikrar hopes to bring significant changes to the drug and food oversight sector in Indonesia and contribute greatly to public welfare.
His new leadership at BPOM is expected to be a pivotal step towards meaningful improvements in drug regulation quality and price control in the country.
