Indonesia, China seek stronger drug, food regulatory cooperationRelated news: Indonesia explores China partnership on traditional medicine centerJakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) is seeking to enhance regulatory cooperation with China in areas including the supervision of medicines, vaccines, natural medicines, cosmetics, and processed food safety.BPOM Head Taruna Ikrar on Monday (August 10) said the two countries share close ties across various fields, including the pharmaceutical, health, and food sectors.According to him, closer regulatory collaboration is needed to ensure products available in both markets comply with safety, efficacy, and quality requirements. "Indonesia and China have a close relationship in the fields of medicine and food. Therefore, we want to ensure that trade and industrial relations go hand-in-hand with the strengthening of regulatory systems, for the public to receive safe and effective products," Ikrar noted.He views China as a key strategic partner for Indonesia, supplying a significant share of pharmaceutical raw materials, including Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and excipients, as well as finished pharmaceutical products. "We would also like to look into the possibility of establishing such factories; we wish to explore that possibility," he said.Responding to discussions on expediting the renewal of the cooperation agreement between BPOM and the NMPA, he pledged to help facilitate the diplomatic process to ensure the document is finalized soon.He also praised Indonesia’s clear regulations and the shared commitment to strengthening diplomacy and human resource capacity in drug and food regulation. Translator: Mecca Yumna N P, Resinta SulistiyandariEditor: Azis KurmalaCopyright © ANTARA 2026