Merdeka.com – The drug Ivermectin is still a matter of controversy. The drug which is said to be used as a therapy for Covid-19 patients is apparently registered as a deworming drug at the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM).
In the midst of being in the spotlight, thousands of doses of Ivermectin have been sent to Kudus and Bangkalan to reduce the rate of transmission of Covid-19 in these areas.
Deputy Governor of East Java Emil Elestianto Dardak responded to the circulating controversy. He assessed that in a health emergency situation like today, doctors will give something that they feel is beneficial rather than harmful.
“Doctors are given access where in urgent situations the benefits outweigh the disadvantages, maybe the doctor will give it,” said Emil during a live IG with merdeka.com, Thursday (24/6).
He also asked the public to generalize that there is an appeal to take ivermectin. “Don’t generalize ‘let’s all drink ivermectin’. Because this is a supply at the forefront of our health with their expertise, they will use the drug with great care,” he explained.
However, Emil did not deny that the World Health Organization (WHO) has not recommended the use of ivermectin.
“But doctors have their own parameters in applying. I avoid talking about medical problems as a non-expert. Doctors have SOPs, so this is not like a drug that is distributed and can be consumed normally (like other drugs),” he said.
Previously, Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN), Erick Thohir said PT Indofarma would produce Ivermectin with a capacity of 4 million per month. With the presence of Ivermectin, it is hoped that the spike in Covid-19 cases can be handled.
However, the plan to use Ivermectin for Covid-19 therapy has received attention from health workers. Because, Ivermectin is still in the clinical trial stage in a number of hospitals.
Director of Prevention and Control of Direct Infectious Diseases at the Ministry of Health, Siti Nadia Tarmizi said Ivermectin is still in the clinical trial phase. This clinical trial is under the coordination of the Health Research and Development Agency of the Ministry of Health.
“There will still be clinical trials at the Research and Development Agency,” he said, Monday (21/6).
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Indonesian Lung Doctors Association (PDPI), Agus Dwi Susanto, said that medical professional organizations in Indonesia have not recommended the use of Ivermectin for Covid-19 patients. Because, until now, there have been no study results showing Ivermectin can be used for Covid-19 therapy.
“Until today, professional associations have not recommended it,” he told merdeka.com, Monday (21/6).
According to the Head of the Department of Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine FKUI Persahabatan Hospital, a number of hospitals in Indonesia are currently conducting clinical trials of Ivermectin for Covid-19. However, clinical trials have not shown results.
“We’ll see what the results are. If it’s good, it can be used,” he said.
The Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) said published research for the prevention and treatment of Covid-19 stated that Ivermectin has antiviral potential in in-vitro tests in the laboratory. However, more convincing scientific evidence is still needed regarding its safety, efficacy, and effectiveness as a Covid-19 drug through further clinical trials.
According to BPOM, Ivermectin 12 mg caplets are currently registered in Indonesia for worm infection indications (Strongyloidiasis and Onchocerciasis). Ivermectin is given in a single dose of 150 to 200 mcg/kg, body weight once a year.
Ivermectin, said BPOM, is a strong drug so it must be purchased with a doctor’s prescription and its use under the supervision of a doctor. Ivermectin used without a medical indication and without a doctor’s prescription in the long term can cause side effects, including muscle or joint pain, skin rash, fever, dizziness, constipation, diarrhea, drowsiness, and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.
The institution led by Penny Kusumastuti Lukito also asked the public not to buy Ivermectin drugs freely without a doctor’s prescription, including buying through online platforms.
“For the sale of Ivermectin drugs, including online without a doctor’s prescription, sanctions can be imposed in accordance with applicable regulations,” said BPOM in a press release on June 10, 2021. [rhm]
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