Jakarta. The Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) has issued a stark warning on the global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), calling it a looming “silent pandemic” that could claim up to 57 million lives annually within the next three decades if left unchecked.

BPOM head Prof. Taruna Ikrar delivered the message during the Antimikroba Run (AMRun) 2025 held at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) on Sunday, Nov. 30, part of the global commemoration of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW).

“Today, 10 million people die every year due to antimicrobial resistance. Without serious action, that number could surge to 57 million deaths per year within 30 years. This is a humanitarian alarm,” Taruna said. He stressed that AMRun serves as a public reminder that AMR is already at Indonesia’s doorstep and requires immediate action.

According to BPOM, the misuse of antibiotics remains widespread. Between 2021 and 2024, an estimated 80 percent of Indonesians used antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription, leading to irrational consumption and accelerating bacterial resistance.

Taruna said that AMR in Indonesia has reached an alarming stage, with about 43 percent of E.coli bacteria now resistant to common antibiotics. As a result, physicians are increasingly forced to prescribe stronger drugs like quinolones and azithromycin.

“We have to prescribe stronger ones like quinolones or azithromycin because penicillin-based antibiotics no longer work. Don’t wait until resistance exceeds 50 percent,” he warned.

Pharmaceutical Industry Pledges Support

Industry players expressed strong support for BPOM’s campaign. Andreas Bayu Aji, secretary-general of the Indonesian Pharmaceutical Companies Association (GP Farmasi), said the sector is committed to continuous collaboration in public education efforts to curb AMR.

“We hope efforts to control antimicrobial misuse continue to improve. These campaigns are essential, so more people understand the dangers of improper antibiotic use,” Andreas said.

GP Farmasi’s executive director Elfiano Rizaldi described AMRun 2025 as a positive example of cooperation between regulators and the pharmaceutical industry to promote responsible antibiotic use.

BPOM’s Deputy for Drug, Narcotics, Psychotropics, Precursors, and Addictive Substances Control, William Adi Teja, outlined three crucial steps to help break the chain of resistance:

1. Seek medical consultation and use antibiotics only with a doctor’s prescription.

2. Finish all prescribed medication.

3. Dispose of leftover antibiotics properly.

To reinforce these guidelines, BPOM has issued a circular to all pharmacies nationwide, instructing them not to sell antibiotics without a prescription, including through online platforms. The policy aims to curb the ease of access that has fueled years of misuse.

“In Indonesia, antibiotics and antivirals are far too easy to obtain—offline or online,” William said.

Public Support on Display

Public figure and Presidential Envoy for Youth and Creative Workers Raffi Ahmad, who participated in the run, voiced his support for the national campaign.

“AMRun is excellent. The important thing is that we continue working with BPOM. Thank you, BPOM, for contributing so much to our country. Fight resistance, save the next generation,” he said.

As Indonesia advances toward its 2045 Golden Vision, BPOM emphasized that controlling AMR is essential to safeguarding public health and securing a resilient future for the next generation.