Indonesia: BPOM Detects Illegal Ingredients in 31 Natural Medicine and Health Supplement Products, Issues Stern Warning

Indonesia's National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) has discovered 31 illegal natural medicine (OBA) and health supplement (SK) products during its surveillance period from May to June 2026. A significant finding is that 30 of these products were found to contain active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), posing serious health risks to consumers. The findings consist of 28 OBA products and 3 SK products. Of these, 28 OBAs and 2 SKs contained APIs. The remaining one SK product did not meet microbiological quality requirements. BPOM found that 15 of the products listed fictitious marketing authorization numbers (NIEs), while the other 16 products were not registered with BPOM. Products without marketing authorization or with fictitious NIEs have not undergone BPOM evaluation, thus their safety, efficacy, and quality are not guaranteed. "OBA and SK products must not contain APIs and must meet safety and quality requirements. The addition of APIs or the circulation of products that do not meet microbiological requirements are serious violations. The public should not be deceived by claims of being natural, instant efficacy, or excessive promotions," stated Head of BPOM Taruna Ikrar, as reported by detikHealth on Friday (11/9/2026). These products were marketed with various claims, including for male stamina, aphrodisiacs, muscle aches, gout, joint pain, itching, coughs, slimming, and weight gain. The detected APIs include sildenafil, paracetamol, miconazole, ketoconazole, allopurinol, dexamethasone, caffeine, meloxicam, phenylbutazone, prednisone, piroxicam, chlorpheniramine maleate, sibutramine, sodium diclofenac, and cyproheptadine. BPOM emphasized that the use of OBAs and SKs containing APIs can pose health risks because consumers are unaware of the type, dosage, and potential interactions of the consumed chemical ingredients. Sildenafil, for instance, is a prescription-only drug that must be used based on medical indication and under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Unsupervised use can be risky for individuals with certain medical conditions or those taking other medications. As a follow-up action, BPOM has traced the product sources, ordered the recall and destruction of the products, and blocked or taken down online sales links that were found. Individuals proven to have violated these regulations may face sanctions under Article 435 jo. Article 138 (2) and (3) of Law Number 17 of 2023 concerning Health, with a potential penalty of imprisonment for up to 12 years and/or a fine of up to Rp 5 billion. "BPOM will not tolerate business actors who intentionally produce or distribute illegal OBAs and SKs, contain APIs, or do not meet safety and quality requirements," Taruna asserted.