'Get' Additional Support For The Issue Of Not Granting The Nusantara Vaccine Permit, IDI: BPOM Don't Want To Be Cincai

JAKARTA - The stance of the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) that has not given permission for the Nusantara vaccine research team to continue the phase 2 clinical trial has received appreciation from a number of parties.

The BPOM considers that the clinical trial phase 1 of the vaccine made by former Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto has not met the rules. This has led to the absence of a green light for researchers to continue the phase 2 clinical trial.

In the end, support for the agency regulating the distribution of drugs and food emerged, including from hundreds of figures consisting of experts, researchers and national figures.

Through online press conferences, this movement provides support to BPOM by reading open letters. Former Director of RSCM Akmal Taher explained why the figures provided support for BPOM.

He said, this agency formed by the government, has worked in accordance with the existing system for years to oversee the circulation of drugs, especially vaccines in Indonesia. This must be guarded by the public in the midst of the Nusantara Vaccine polemic.

"This is what we have to protect and what are the dangers, if it is disturbed? The most dangerous thing is that the safety of the vaccines or drugs in circulation is not guaranteed. We have not talked about the benefits, the safety first and that is very dangerous," said Akmal on Saturday, April 17th.

Not only that, this kind of polemic will also disrupt the drug control system in the country and this will have serious impacts.

"Because the working capital of BPOM is one, trust. Trust from whom, all parties at home and abroad. So once disturbed, don't imagine that only the community is threatened with safety but also the system," he said.

The Executive Board of the Indonesian Doctors' Association (PB IDI) requested that the development of Nusantara Vaccines still prioritize protocols and procedures that have been established by the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM). The development of the COVID-19 vaccine must not only promote a sense of nationalism or goodwill.

"Procedures and protocols (vaccine development, ed) must be adjusted. Don't just think of good intentions, nationalism then never mind, the protocol is minced. It can't be," said PB IDI Chairman Daeng M Faqih.

Daeng believes BPOM is still maintaining professionalism. He said, if this agency was not professional, the drugs and vaccines currently scattered in the country would be out of order.

"If we say that BPOM is not professional, it will be all over the drugs, vaccines, which number in the thousands, millions," said Daeng.

He also spoke about the polemic of the relationship between Commission IX DPR RI and BPOM, which seemed not to get along because of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by former Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto. He said, the DPR RI, especially Commission IX, which is a partner of BPOM, may supervise.

"But, in my opinion, what the DPR is doing (is enough, red) is to supervise performance, not take over performance," he said.

"If it takes over the performance, I am worried that the activities of the institution, the agency if there cannot then use another approach, for example to the DPR to be resolved. If it is like this it will be difficult," added Daeng.

He is also worried that BPOM is vulnerable to political interests if this kind of thing continues. Thus, all of the agency's work should be maintained in accordance with scientific procedures.

"Do not let this procedure have intervention. Including the support of figures. This is if in the scientific world there is no scientific basis," said Daeng.

Moreover, he considers, any decision taken by the members of parliament is a political decision.

"Even though there are experts, the final decision is still a political decision," he said.