"These dangerous chemical substances are impurities from their solvents that have been used for a long time and not only in the drug industry," Sadikin remarked at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, on Monday.
He later noted that the solvent was already widely used in various industries. However, since it has been contaminated, the solvent produced harmful chemical compounds.
“Many people asked, why was it okay before and the problem only emerged now. This was caused by impurities or contamination. I have asked the experts, and they said that the biggest cause was due to the raw materials," he remarked.
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Sadikin spoke of having coordinated with the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) to observe changes in the type and origin of each liquid medicine raw material.
"We already have the data, the raw materials shift from which countries and when did the import happen. I will tell later on special occasions," he stated.
As of Monday, the minister confirmed the detection of 245 cases of atypical progressive acute kidney disease (AKI) in 26 provinces in Indonesia, with a death rate of 57.6 percent.
Accumulated cases reach up to 80 percent of the total national findings in the eight provinces of Jakarta, West Java, Aceh, East Java, West Sumatra, Bali, Banten, and North Sumatra. The case mortality rate reached 141 cases, or 57.6 percent.
Earlier, the Indonesian Health Ministry had brought 26 Fomepizole drug vials to help treat the patients. The 26 Fomepizole drug vials comprised 10 from Singapore and 16 from Australia.
He noted that medicines to help the recovery of acute kidney injury patients were rare drugs. Hence, he lauded and thanked the assistance from Singaporean and Australian Governments for their assistance.
Related news: 245 acute kidney injury cases detected in 26 provinces: minister
Translator: Indra Arief P, Resinta S
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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