BPOM Uncovers Dozens of Dangerous Traditional Medicines

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - in 2013, The Food and Drugs Monitoring Agency (BPOM) has found 59 types of chemically-tainted traditional herbal medicines all over Indonesia. Most of those traditional herbal medicines are painkillers and rheumatic medicines.

According to Acting Head of the BPOM, Hayatie Amal, chemicals found in the traditional medicines were paracetamol, phenylbutazone, and sildenafil. "Parachetamol should be used to cure fever but is used as a painkillers instead. Meanwhile, sildenafil can cause heart failure," she said on Saturday, November 9, 2013.

Hayatie further said that 57 out of those 59 herbal medicines use chemicals that are not registered in the BPOM. "We've revoked their distribution license and withdraw the products from the market," she said.

Those herbal medicines are Pegal Linu Lalurat Cap Madu Klanceng, Asam Urat Jamur Mas, Pegal Linu Cap Madu Klanceng, Thing Bao Sari Mahkota Dewa, Amuraten, Alma Ramping Ayu, Shuyga and Obat Kuat Tahan Lama Pusaka Madu Ekstra Strong.

In the meantime, as the follow up of the finding, BPOM officials will work other related officials to bring this case to justice. Hayatie said that in the past two years, the agency has submitted 44 cases to the court with a maximal punishment of two years and a maximum fine of Rp22.5 millions.

PINGIT ARIA