In a significant step toward improving regulatory enforcement and consumer protection, Indonesia’s National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) has held a high-level strategic meeting with South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS). The collaboration aims to enhance international cooperation, particularly in tackling transnational crimes involving counterfeit drugs and unsafe food products.
A Shared Vision for Safety and Innovation
The meeting, which took place at the BPOM Headquarters in Jakarta, was attended by various Indonesian enforcement agencies, including the National Narcotics Board, the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, the Indonesian National Police, and technical experts. The Korean delegation was led by the MFDS’s Criminal Investigations Division, highlighting their joint commitment to regulatory transparency and strategic knowledge-sharing.
According to Young Jo Kim, Director of the MFDS Criminal Investigations Office, the exchange of information and experience is key to enhancing the regulatory capacity of both nations. “This collaboration is crucial in developing effective systems to detect and prevent crimes in the drug and food sectors,” said Kim.
Azis Saputra, Director of Law Enforcement at BPOM, emphasized that Indonesia has been actively adopting new strategies and operational standards inspired by the MFDS. The shared goal is to strengthen cross-border oversight and improve the safety of regulated products in both countries.
Three Key Focus Areas: Cases and Innovation
In this joint initiative, the Korean delegation presented three impactful case studies that have shaped their regulatory framework:
- Food Sector Investigation: Highlighted issues such as fruit concentrate manipulation and unsafe ingredient mixtures, which are commonly used to cut production costs in Korea.
- Medical Device and Pharmaceutical Cases: Shared by Sung Han Hong, this segment focused on how companies manipulate active ingredients in health products to evade safety standards.
- Use of Digital Forensics: Gyu Hun Kim explained how Korea applies advanced surveillance technology and data analysis in tracing criminal activities involving illegal drug production and distribution.
Toward a Stronger Regional Framework
The discussion concluded with a shared proposal to establish a regional forum that involves national regulatory authorities across Asia. This forum aims to foster regular dialogue on regulatory challenges, surveillance practices, and digital forensics to tackle cross-border threats collaboratively.
BPOM also outlined its vision to become a stronger regional actor in regulatory diplomacy, using this partnership as a foundation for broader, Asia-wide cooperation on public health safety.
Sources:
Majalah POM Vol.6/No.3/2024 – Nesha PRM Sitompul & Dian Hermawati
