TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) chairperson Penny K. Lukito in a virtual press conference on Monday announced the agency had permitted the clinical trials for Ivermectin to test its potency as COVID-19 treatment.

“Surely with the clinical trial approval (PPUK) the clinical trials for Ivermectin as COVID-19 treatment can soon be held,” she said on Monday, June 28, Antaranews reports.

There were several considerations driving the BPOM to green-light the clinical trials, which include the spread of the disease, the global publication on the use of Ivermectin, and the World Health Organization’s guidelines on the treatment for COVID-19 patients.

Eight hospitals are set to host the clinical trials, which are: RS Persahabatan (Jakarta), the Sulianti Saroso Infectious Diseases Hospital (RSPI Sulianti Saroso) (North Jakarta), Soedarso (Pontianak), Adam Malik (Medan), Gatot Soebroto Army Hospital (Jakarta), Dr. Esnawan Antariksa Navy Hospital (Jakarta), Suyoto (Jakarta), and the Wisma Atlet COVID-19 Emergency Hospital (Jakarta).

The BPOM previously reported that it had not approved of the use of this antiparasitic drug as there were no clinical trials available which could confirm its potency against COVID-19.

The BPOM chairperson urged members of the public to not purchase Ivermectin as a way to treat coronavirus without consulting a professional and warned that the correct use of the drug was strictly regulated.

Read: Moeldoko Distributes Ivermectin as COVID-19 Treatment to HKTI Members

ANTARA