We have to import Fomepizole from Singapore
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Health Ministry brought 200 vials of the injection drug Fomepizole to Indonesia to treat 69 patients with atypical progressive acute kidney disease (Acute Kidney Injury/AKI).

"Indonesia does not have the medicine. We have to import Fomepizole from Singapore. I just contacted the Singaporean health minister and Australian health minister since they are the closest ones," Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin noted during a press conference related to AKI in Jakarta, Friday.

Sadikin remarked that the 200 vials of Fomepizole injection would be administered to one patient per vial, with an injection dose of 1.5 grams or per 1.5 ml.

"One patient receives one vial. There are several injections, but one vial is enough. We hope it would be distributed immediately to hospitals," he stated.

The minister ensured that AKI cases in Indonesia could be cured after the government obtained drugs that were effective in addressing the causes of kidney disease.

Earlier, the drug had been tested on 10 AKI patients being treated at the Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta. Fomepizole reactions showed improvement in the patient's symptoms, with some of them being in stable condition.

"We feel more confident that this drug is effective. Currently, the Indonesian government is bringing more Fomepizole for more patients. We already know the cause of the disease, and now, it can be treated," Sadikin remarked.

He expressed optimism that Fomepizole, which has been tested for the last three days at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, can reduce the mortality rate of AKI patients.

He stated that the government along with related parties was able to detect the cause of AKI based on the results of investigation of the pathogens that contaminate syrup drugs named Ethylene glycol, Diethylene Glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol butyl ether (EGBE).

Based on the results of pathogen research on PCR and metagenomic examinations, it was known that AKI was caused by these chemical compounds, he remarked.

"If the chemical compound enters human metabolism, it changes the chemical compound into oxalic acid. If oxalic acid enters the kidneys, it will be dangerous. It is similar to a small sharp crystal that can damage the children's kidneys," he added.

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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Resinta S
Editor: Sri Haryati
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