Indonesia has reached a milestone in global health regulation. The Indonesian Food and Drug Authority, known as BPOM, has officially been recognized by the World Health Organization as a WHO Listed Authority or WLA for vaccine regulation. The designation places Indonesia among the most trusted regulatory bodies in the world.
WLA status is the highest level of recognition granted to institutions overseeing drug and food safety. With this achievement, Indonesia becomes the first regulatory authority from a developing country to have its system acknowledged as meeting the highest global standards.
The recognition is already drawing international attention. William Adi Teja, Deputy for Drug, Narcotics, Psychotropics, Precursors, and Addictive Substances Control at BPOM, said that even though the WLA status has only been in place for two months, several countries have visited BPOM to learn from its experience. These include nations from the Middle East and Asia.
“They want to learn, including Japan, Pakistan, and African countries. They want to know how to enter WLA and be efficient, as has happened at BPOM,” he said during the CNBC Indonesia Health Forum, as quoted on Saturday (28/2/2026).
According to William, BPOM is continuing internal improvements to strengthen the domestic pharmaceutical industry while enhancing public protection. Stronger regulation, he noted, can support industry growth and increase its contribution to the national economy.
“In Indonesia, the pharmaceutical sector grew by 10% last year, meaning that figure can help drive Indonesia’s growth,” he stressed.
He expressed hope that WLA recognition will accelerate expansion in the pharmaceutical sector. Facilities may need to be enlarged to meet rising demand. He also expects greater financial circulation within the industry, which could generate more jobs and attract further investment.
“We hope not only from three pharmaceutical industries, but others can also enter. We also hope there will be technology transfer because according to BPOM regulations, medicines entering Indonesia must go through technology transfer to enable production in Indonesia,” he concluded.
BPOM Head Taruna Ikrar sees the designation as more than just a regulatory achievement. In his view, it creates strategic opportunities for Indonesia at the global level. Countries without WHO Listed Authority status do not have the same level of credibility, giving Indonesia an advantage in expanding its reach.
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“It opens great opportunities, ranging from pharmaceutical product exports to strengthening Indonesia’s national health diplomacy,” Taruna said.
He added that from a business standpoint, WLA status broadens market access and creates significant impact. It strengthens Indonesia’s position through reference and reliance mechanisms and enhances its bargaining power in global health diplomacy.
“So we become a global player, no longer just a local champion. In the future, we can also ensure the distribution of medicines and vaccines, even during emergency situations,” Taruna explained.
With this recognition, Indonesia’s pharmaceutical regulator is no longer operating only within domestic boundaries. It now stands on the global stage, carrying both greater responsibility and wider opportunity.
