BPOM Issues Distribution Permit for Snake Antivenom

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) has passed a distribution permit for snake antivenom serum following increased cases of cobra findings in several Greater Jakarta areas.

"We have issued a distribution license for the serum. But the regulation on the access and distribution is not from our side," said the agency's head, Penny K. Lukito, at his office, Jalan Percetakan Negara, Jakarta, Monday, December 23.

Penny said the distribution of antivenom serum was the responsibility of the Health Ministry and ensured the serum was available in a number of hospitals.

Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto previously explained that not all hospitals kept the serum to treat snake bites since it was not a common threat so its availability was not yet a priority of all hospitals.

"[The availability of the serum] must be adjusted to the status of the case. If there is no threat, it will be useless to provide the serum. It will be wasteful," said Terawan.

However, after the fact of the emergence of snakes in regions, the minister ensured that the ministry had started spreading the serum based on the mapping of the venomous snake findings.

Throughout the past week, reports of cobra findings have increased in several areas, including Jakarta. People discovered more than one baby cobra.

Snakes expert or herpetologist from the University of Jenderal Soedirman Purwokerto, IGA Ayu Ratna Puspitasari, explained the phenomenon of the emergence of venomous cobras in public residences was allegedly due to the rainy season, which is the period when snake eggs hatch, and their deteriorating natural habitat.

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA | EGY ADYATAMA