Kemenkes Prepares New Regulation on Sale of OTC Medicines in Modern Retail

The Ministry of Health (“ Kemenkes ”), in collaboration with the Indonesian Pharmaceutical Companies Association (“ GP Farmasi ”), is currently preparing new provisions regarding the sale of Over-The-Counter (“ OTC ”) medicines. Andreas Bayu Aji, Secretary General of GP Farmasi, stated that they are coordinating with Kemenkes to expand the sale of OTC medicines in accordance with the new regulations being developed.

“We are currently in discussions with the regulator on how OTC medicines can be more widely available for sale, but still within a regulated framework,” said Andreas.

Executive Director of GP Farmasi, Elfiano Rizaldi,  explained that the new regulation, in the form of Regulation of the Minister of Health, serves as a further implementing regulation of Law No. 17 of 2023 on Health (“ UU Kesehatan ”), and Regulation of the Government No. 28 of 2024 on the Implementing Regulation of Law No. 17 of 2023 on Health (“ PP Kesehatan ”).

The regulation is expected to provide legal certainty for the sale of medicines, particularly through modern retail channels. Elfiano explained that the sale of drugs through small shops such as cigarette stalls is proposed to be prohibited.“We need to clarify the regulations. We are working to allow sales in modern retail outlets such as supermarkets, minimarkets, and hypermarkets. However, sales through small cigarette stalls will not be permitted,” he stated.