DPR Regarding The Finding Of Hazardous Herbal Medicines: BPOM Should Not Be Proactive If There Are Only Cases

JAKARTA - Member of Commission IX DPR RI Netty Prasetiyani Aher highlighted the findings of the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) related to 15 natural medicinal products (OBA) that are known to contain hazardous medicinal chemicals (BKO), one of which is the sitrate sildenafil.

Netty said this finding was very worrying because it could endanger public safety as a consumer.

"This finding is very concerning. Herbal medicine should be a safe alternative for the community, not even a threat because it is infiltrated by chemical drugs without permission," said Netty, Tuesday, July 22.

Therefore, Netty emphasized the importance of strict supervision by BPOM which includes the entire production chain, ranging from producers, suppliers of raw materials, to distribution.

"BPOM should not only be reactive due to cases. Proactive supervision and periodic inspection must be increased," he said.

He also highlighted the need for sustainable education to the community. "People also need to be given literacy to be more careful before buying herbal products," said Netty.

This member of the commission in the DPR in charge of health affairs and food supervision reminded that the use of chemicals such as Sildenafil without a doctor's supervision could have a serious impact on public health. In fact, said Netty, it could be fatal.

"Chemicals such as sildenafil can only be used on a doctor's prescription and with strict supervision. If they are misused in herbal products without a permit, this is clearly a violation of the law and health ethics," said the legislator from the West Java VIII electoral district.

Netty also supports BPOM's decisive steps that have withdrawn and destroyed these dangerous products from the market, including legal action against business actors involved.

However, Netty assessed that consumer protection must be guaranteed through long-term policies that include a stricter certification system, transparent product labeling, and coordination between related institutions.

"Public health should not be sacrificed because of business ambitions. I encourage BPOM, the Ministry of Health, and related stakeholders to create systems that do not provide loopholes for fraudulent business actors," concluded Netty.

As is known, throughout June 2025, BPOM attracted 15 illegal traditional medicinal products that were found to contain hard chemicals that could only be consumed with a doctor's prescription. In laboratory tests, a series of traditional drugs that were widely circulated, especially online, turned out to be mixed with hard chemicals.

In addition to sildenafil, BPOM also found other ingredients such as deksametason, paracetamol, chlorfeniramin maleat, to sibutramin HCI. All these substances include hard drugs that should not be consumed without the supervision of medical personnel.

Cydenafil is known as a drug used to treat erectile or impotence dysfunctions. In addition, this drug is also used for people with pulmonal hypertension, but its use must be under medical supervision.