Eighteen years ago, PT Ferron Par Pharmaceuticals shipped its first pharmaceutical products from Indonesia to the European market. On Thursday (June 4, 2026), the company marked another significant milestone with the official dispatch of its 150th export container from Ferron’s manufacturing facility in Cikarang, West Java. The ceremony was officiated by the Head of the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM RI), Prof. Taruna Ikrar, MD, M.Biomed., Ph.D.
The 150-container milestone reflects nearly two decades of consistency in meeting international quality standards and regulatory requirements.
BPOM RI has recently achieved the status of a World Health Organization Listed Authority (WLA), a recognition granted by the WHO to regulatory authorities that operate according to internationally recognized standards for medicines oversight. With this designation, Indonesia joins a global network of 41 regulatory authorities across 39 countries. The achievement strengthens the credibility of Indonesia’s regulatory system and enhances international confidence in the country’s pharmaceutical industry.
Following the launch of the 150th export shipment of high-technology Metformin Sustained Release (SR), Prof. Taruna Ikrar highlighted several key implications of exporting essential medicines to Europe, particularly to Poland.
“First, this demonstrates that Indonesia is no longer merely an importing nation. We are now capable of exporting not only to neighboring countries but also to highly regulated markets in Europe. Second, these exports contribute to the national economy through foreign exchange earnings. Third, successful exports to Europe and other international markets reflect growing global confidence in Indonesian products. This achievement is inseparable from the role of BPOM, which has earned WHO Listed Authority (WLA) status—the highest form of recognition for regulatory agencies worldwide,” explained Prof. Taruna.
He expressed hope that this accomplishment would serve as a stepping stone for further expansion into other global markets, including the Middle East, Arab countries, South America, and the United States.
“To enhance competitiveness, we must first strengthen our reputation through international certification. Indonesia has already achieved WLA status, placing us on par with regulatory authorities in the United States and Europe. Secondly, BPOM will continue to provide various incentives, such as accelerating certification processes without compromising quality. For Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification, we now have a highly qualified team of assessors,” said Prof. Taruna.
Prof. Taruna further emphasized that Indonesia is currently at a pivotal stage in strengthening its role as a producer of globally competitive healthcare products. He also highlighted BPOM’s support for pharmaceutical supply chains, including pharmaceutical raw materials.
“Our strategy includes providing regulatory facilitation to support industry supply chains, whether sourcing from China or Europe. Secondly, we aim to maximize Indonesia’s abundant natural resources for pharmaceutical raw materials by offering incentives to companies that can develop and extract natural-based ingredients. Thirdly, we seek to increase the number of clinical trials conducted in Indonesia. Since patents are linked to intellectual property ownership, we want Indonesia to become part of that innovation ecosystem by supporting clinical research activities,” he added.
According to data from Indonesia’s Ministry of Industry, exports of pharmaceutical products and natural-based medicinal products reached USD 639.42 million between January and September 2024. BPOM RI’s WLA designation further strengthens international market confidence in Indonesia’s pharmaceutical sector.
PT Ferron Par Pharmaceuticals, a member of Dexa Group, stands as a tangible example of Indonesia’s pharmaceutical industry capability to meet global market standards. Ferron’s manufacturing facility in Cikarang has obtained both UK-MHRA and EU-GMP certifications, two of the most important regulatory benchmarks in the international pharmaceutical industry. These certifications have provided the foundation for Ferron’s sustained exports to Europe for nearly two decades.
President Director of PT Ferron Par Pharmaceuticals, Mr. Benny Sutisna Suwarno, stated that the dispatch of the 150th export container is the result of a long-standing commitment to quality excellence and the continuous support provided by BPOM RI in fostering the growth of Indonesia’s pharmaceutical industry.
“Ferron is now 23 years old. Throughout those 23 years, we have achieved many milestones, including maintaining international certifications for the past 18 years. Since 2008, we have continuously exported our products to Europe. This demonstrates that the quality built by Indonesian talent is fully comparable to that of multinational companies and manufacturers from developed countries. This achievement would not have been possible without the support of BPOM through its regulatory oversight, industry development initiatives, and the assistance provided to pharmaceutical manufacturers. The dispatch of our 150th export container to Europe is tangible proof that the synergy between Ferron and BPOM in pursuing global success is not merely an aspiration—it is a reality,” said Mr. Benny.
The 150th export container departing from Cikarang carries Indonesian-manufactured diabetes medication destined for the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Poland. More than a shipment, it symbolizes 18 years of consistent commitment by Indonesia’s pharmaceutical industry to meeting the stringent quality standards and regulatory requirements of global markets.