Indonesia Introduces Tirzepatide for Diabetes and Obesity Management

Diabetes mellitus type 2 and obesity are two closely related metabolic diseases that continue to pose a growing health challenge in Indonesian society. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetes Atlas 2025 estimates that 20.4 million adults aged 20-79 years in Indonesia are living with diabetes, a number projected to rise to 28.6 million by 2050. Furthermore, the Indonesian Health Survey (SKI) 2023 recorded the prevalence of obesity in Indonesian adults at 23.4 percent, marking a significant increase over the past decade. These conditions are concerning, as they substantially elevate the risk of serious complications such as cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease, while also diminishing patients' quality of life, necessitating immediate intervention. Prof. dr. Dante Saksono Harbuwono, Sp.PD-KEMD, Ph.D., Chairman of the Indonesian Obesity Study Association (HISOBI), emphasized that obesity is a metabolic disease requiring proper management. Effective obesity management can reduce the likelihood of complications, particularly diabetes. "Talking about obesity is not just talking about body shape. Obesity is a problem of changing body metabolism factors," Prof. Dante stated. He added, "Therefore, the approach to treating obesity is very crucial as a preventive measure to prevent further complications. By reducing the obesity rate, we can directly reduce the incidence of diabetes, reduce the incidence of hypertension, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and other associated diseases." This highlights the critical need for drug innovations in treating obesity and diabetes. PT Anugerah Pharmindo Lestari (APL), a Zuellig company, has announced the introduction of tirzepatide in Indonesia. Tirzepatide is the first dual GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist of its class, offering a new evidence-based therapeutic option for managing type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity. "Introducing tirzepatide is an important step in our efforts to bring health innovations that have an impact on the Indonesian people and ensure that more patients can access the right therapy," said APL President Director Christophe Piganiol. The availability of tirzepatide in Indonesia was realized through close collaboration with the Indonesian Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM). Prof. dr. Taruna Ikrar, M.Biomed., Ph.D., head of BPOM, underscored that every drug obtaining a distribution permit undergoes rigorous scientific evaluation to ensure its safety, efficacy, and quality. "BPOM is committed to continue to build an adaptive regulatory ecosystem so that the Indonesian people can benefit from innovations in the field of health while upholding patient safety standards," Prof. Taruna stated. Tirzepatide works by activating two natural incretin hormones, GIP and GLP-1, which are crucial in regulating blood sugar levels, enhancing insulin sensitivity, and controlling appetite and energy balance. This dual mechanism offers a more comprehensive therapeutic approach for type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity management. "Various clinical studies show that tirzepatide is able to provide significant glycemic control while producing significant weight loss in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus," concluded Prof. Dr. Em Yunir, SpPD-KEMD, Chairman of the Indonesian Endocrinology Association (PERKENI).