TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin confirmed that cases of acute kidney injury in children were caused by medicinal syrup products containing dangerous chemicals, namely Ethylene Glycol (EG), Diethylene Glycol (DEG), and Ethylene Glycol Butyl Ether (EGBE). He said that the finding was disclosed after the ministry conducted long research.

"We conclude that the cause is chemical drugs which contaminate the drug's solvent," said Budi at Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, Monday, October 24, 2022.

Budi claimed that the ministry had observed a spike in acute kidney injury cases since August 2022. At first, it was suspected due to viruses, bacteria, or parasites. One of the bacteria that can cause kidney failure, Budi explained, is leptospira.

The Health Ministry then conducted a pathology review to determine the exact cause and it was found that very few patients were infected with viruses or bacteria.

The number of patients with acute kidney failure rose in September 2022, reaching 78 people. At the beginning of this month, the number also increased to 141 people. Budi said most of the patients are aged below five years old.

The ministry then suspected the cause to be COVID-19 infection. However, less than one percent of the patients were exposed to the coronavirus disease.

To date, the Health Ministry has withdrawn the distribution permit for more than 1,100 liquid medicines suspected to be the cause of acute kidney injury in children. Budi said the ministry was still waiting for the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency or BPOM’s report on the research on these drugs.

"We will issue a release this afternoon. There are 133 or 150 of [medicinal syrup] with a solvent that does not contain hazardous substances," Budi concluded.

M JULNIS FIRMANSYAH

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