TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Society of Respirology (PDPI) head of the working group on infections, Erlina Burhan, on Wednesday said five medical professional organizations have revoked a number of drugs and health therapies from suggested options to treat Covid-19 cases. Those no longer suggested include convalescent plasma therapy and ivermectin drug.

The latest guideline deems the two options not beneficial in the treatment of Covid-19 patients. Other antiviral options that are no longer promoted by health experts include Hydroxychloroquine, Azithromycin, and Oseltamivir.

“The WHO already announced a number of drugs that are not beneficial and we have adopted that,” said Burhan in an online press conference on the health guideline on February 9, Antaranews reported.

Both plasma convalescent therapy and ivermectin were included in the third edition Covid-19 guideline not as standard treatment options, but rather as additional options based on medical recommendations.

“In the third edition, the ivermectin was in the clinical trial process and not used as a common treatment for the patients,” she said.

The fourth edition guideline means medical workers are banned from using the health therapies and antiviral drugs that are mentioned above to treat Covid-19 patients. This guideline was jointly made by five organizations in the field of medics.

The organizations are; the Indonesian Association of Internal Medicine Specialists (PAPDI), the Indonesian Society of Respirology (PDPI), the Indonesian Intensive Indonesian Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy Association (PERDATIN), the Cardiovascular Specialist Doctors Association (PERKI), and the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI).

Read: BPOM Issues Rule on Expanded Access Program for Ivermectin

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