The types of drugs that can be used are in accordance with the recommendations of the Indonesian Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM)Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Health Ministry's spokesperson Mohammad Syahril stated that as many as 156 syrup medicinal products in Indonesia were eligible to be re-prescribed and sold in the market after being tested free of harmful compounds.
"The types of drugs that can be used are in accordance with the recommendations of the Indonesian Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM)," Syahril noted in a statement on Monday.
The recommendation is contained in the Letter of Acting Director General of Health Services No. SR.01.05/III/3461/2022 signed as of October 18, 2022, concerning Instructions for the Use of Liquid/Syrup Drugs in Children in the context of Prevention of Increased KIA cases.
Syahril said the BPOM had ensured that the products on the list did not use Propylene Glycol, Polyethylene Glycol, Sorbitol, and Glycerin/Glycerol, and were safe as long as they were consumed according to the rules of use.
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"Health workers at health care facilities can prescribe or provide drugs in liquid/syrup dosage forms based on announcements from BPOM of 133 types of drugs in attachment 1 and 23 brands of drugs in attachment 2A," he remarked.
Attachment 1 regarding the list of 133 types of drugs released by BPOM can be seen at the link here.
In addition, health workers can prescribe drugs that are difficult to be replaced as listed in Attachment 2 until the test results are obtained and announced by BPOM.
Attachment 2 regarding a list of prescription drugs that are difficult to replace according to BPOM's instructions can be seen at the link here.
"Some 12 brands of drugs containing the active substances valporic acid, sidenafil, and chloral hydrate can be used and must be monitored by health workers," Syahril added.
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Pharmacies and drug stores can sell the drugs to the public as stated in attachments 1 and 2 in accordance with the provisions on the regulation, he stated.
Provincial Health Services, District/City Health Services, and Health Service Facilities must supervise and provide education to the public regarding the use of syrup drugs in accordance with their respective authorities.
"The Ministry of Health will issue a follow-up notification letter after obtaining the results of BPOM testing on other types of syrup medicines," Syahril remarked.
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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Resinta S
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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