BPOM Carelessly Gives Distribution Permit for Corona Herbal Medicine from China in Days
By: Dodik Prasetyo) *
The move by the Food and Drug Administration (BPOM) to issue a Distribution Permit Number (NIE) for herbal medicine Herbavid-19 confuses the public. The public is also suspicious of the speedy publication of the NIE and the effectiveness of Herbavid-19 because until now it has not been tested to be able to cure Covid-19 patients.
To deal with corona, the patient is given a special drug by the doctor. Usually chloroquine or some other combination of drugs. But unfortunately there are some people who believe more in herbal medicine than medicine. Even though corona is a dangerous disease whose virus control must be with drugs according to the dosage and doctor’s recommendation.
When the patients treated at Wisma Atlet received the Herbavid herbal medicine, they were confused. Even doctors and medical personnel there were also confused, why suddenly there was a free distribution of herbal medicine. It turns out that this is the vows of an official. When he recovered from corona, he intended to distribute the herbal medicine to patients who were still being treated.
Unfortunately the herbal medicine became a controversy because the packaging was not written in Indonesian. This means that the medicinal herbs are imported goods whose usefulness is still in doubt, especially since there is no BPOM permit. Strangely, when he was complained about this, suddenly the BPOM herbal medicine number came out in just 3 days. Is there collusion with insiders?
Because in reality, BPOM permits for medicinal, food and beverage products can only be issued within 6 to 9 months. Mayagusnita Andarini, Deputy for Supervision of Traditional Medicines, Health Supplements, and Cosmetics, there are several policies in issuing BPOM licenses. In this case, it’s called emergency clearance.
Even though the name is an emergency permit, there are still some oddities in this case. Because the combination of corona drugs was the result of research from a team of scientists at the University of Airlangga, the official permit has not been issued. Even though this drug is very good for treating Covid patients and it is clearly legal. How can the BPOM permit for herbal medicine come out faster than drugs that have proven efficacy?
The parties who take care of licensing should understand that now is an emergency due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Don’t just give the herbal medicine permission, even if it is given by an official. However, what should be prioritized for official permission is a drug that has clear and reliable efficacy, because it is researched by experts from Unair.
The medical personnel certainly trust medicine more than herbal medicine. Because herbal medicine is indeed made from nutritious herbs. However, the herbal medicine which is claimed to be anti-corona only serves to increase endurance, because it is made of 11 ingredients. There are 3 materials obtained from abroad, so the fear that there will be dependence on having to import.
In addition, these herbs are nutritious. But that is for corona patients who are treated abroad. Not necessarily the herbs in these herbs can suit Indonesians, because there are differences in weather. In addition, it is possible that the type of covd-19 virus that is there and in Indonesia is different, so the way of healing and medicine is also different.
If you are healthy, then don’t drink herbal medicine carelessly. Because consumption must match the dose. If excessive, it will be dangerous for the kidneys. When the body feels dizzy, has a fever, and loses the sense of smell, immediately go to the hospital for a swab test. Don’t even isolate yourself and only drink herbal medicine. Treatment in the hospital is certainly under the supervision of health workers, so that it gets better faster.
The problem of herbal versus medicine is not because of business competition. However, there is an injustice when a drug that has been successfully researched by scientists has not received official distribution authorization. While the herbal medicine that must be imported, the BPOM permit will be issued within 3 days. No more cheating because it will be dangerous for corona patients.
) * The author is active in the Jakarta Press and Student Circle
