JAKARTA - Public purchases of ivermectin increased after the General Chairperson of the Indonesian Farmers' Association (HKTI) and the Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko distributed the drug ivermectin to a number of areas.
Moeldoko claimed that ivermectin was effective in treating COVID-19 patients, including those in Depok to East Semarang. Ivermectin, which is known as an anthelmintic, is claimed to be able to reduce COVID-19 cases in East Semarang, Sragen, and Kudus.
The selling price of the drug ivermectin on online platforms has soared. E-commerce sellers such as Shopee and Tokopedia set prices in the range of IDR 250 thousand to IDR 355 thousand for 12 tablets with the Ivermax12 trademark.
Meanwhile, the price for one tablet is equivalent to Rp. 25 thousand to Rp. 35 thousand. In fact, the highest retail price (HET) that is set including VAT is IDR 157,700 per 20 tablets or equivalent to IDR 7,885 per tablet. This means that demand is booming.
The Expert Council of the Indonesian Pharmacists Association (IAI) Yahdiana Harahap said the results of scientific studies stated that ivermectin did not provide a healing effect for COVID-19 patients.
He cited the results of a study from Oxford University from England. In that study, ivermectin with a placebo was administered to patients. As a result, there was no significant difference between ivermectin and the given placebo.
"In conclusion, this drug does not have an effect as an antiviral for COVID-19. Then, based on a journal in the United States, a study was conducted on 476 COVID-19 patients. It also had no effect," explained Yahdiana.
In addition, Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Indonesian Pharmacists Association (IAI) Keri Lestari asked the public not to take ivermectin drugs just for the sake of preventing COVID-19. Moreover, only hearing information circulating without medical recommendations.
This is because the WHO stated that ivermectin has not been recommended as a drug for the treatment of COVID-19. WHO only provides guidance on the drug ivermectin in clinical trials.
"There is widespread information that ivermectin can be used for prevention. I emphasize that the recommended treatment for COVID-19 is for those with indications of severity," said Keri.
Keri said that the drug profile of ivermectin is an anthelmintic. In accordance with the distribution permit of the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM), it is stated that the drug is only used once a year.
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