Legal Authority of Pharmacists in Indonesia under Law No. 17 of 2023

Abstract

Pharmaceutical practice in Indonesia is mandated to be conducted by licensed pharmaceutical personnel to ensure safety, efficacy, and accountability. Pharmacists in Indonesia possess comprehensive authority in pharmaceutical practice as mandated by Law No. 17 of 2023, covering prescription, restricted, and non-prescription medicines. This authority is reinforced through provisions that mandate professional certification, regulate medicine dispensing, and impose sanctions on unauthorized practice. This study examines pharmacists’ authority using a normative juridical approach through statutory analysis and relevant literature. The findings highlight pharmacists’ dual role as healthcare professionals and managers of pharmaceutical service facilities, with legal accountability that reinforces patient-centered care and public health protection. The study concludes that pharmacists’ authority is central to ensuring rational medicine use and calls for further research on its practical implementation, barriers to enforcement, and strategies to address illegal medicine distribution.