TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Covid-19 Task Force stated that the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) has not yet issued a distribution permit for the therapeutic drug Ivermectin to be used on Covid-19 patients. "There is no distribution permit from BPOM," The Task Force's head of health management, TNI Brig. Gen (Ret) Alexander K. Ginting answered Tempo's question via text message, Tuesday, June 22.

Alexander said that using Ivermectin as an anti-viral drug requires expert researches and a recommendation from the BPOM as a drug regulatory authority in Indonesia.

Alex asserted that Ivermectin in Indonesia is still under research status and is not an over-the-counter drug. "Therefore, this drug should be available in pharmacies as an antiparasitic drug," he said.

It was previously reported that the BPOM is still conducting clinical trials on the efficacy and safety of using Ivermectin in the treatment of COVID-19 patients.

"Clinical trials are under the coordination of the Health Ministry's Health Research and Development Agency, involving several hospitals," an excerpt from the BPOM's official statement on www.pom.go.id said, as confirmed with the BPOM's COVID-19 spokesperson Lucia Rizka Andalusia.

The BPOM stated that published researches on the prevention and treatment of Covid-19 showed that Ivermectin has antiviral potential during in-vitro tests in the laboratory.

However, more convincing scientific proofs are needed regarding safety, efficacy, and effectiveness as a Covid-19 drug, done through further clinical trials.

The BPOM also states that Ivermectin is a strong drug that requires a doctor's prescription and used under doctors' supervision.

Read: Erick Thohir Staff Clarifies Ivermectin Permit for Covid-19 Treatment

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