Ministry of Health: Traditional Medicine Cannot Cure COVID-19

Ilustrasi (Pixabay)

JAKARTA - Head of Research and Development Center for Medicinal Plants and Traditional Medicines, Health Research and Development Agency of the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes), Akhmad Saikhu, said that the only medicine is anti-virus or vaccines. It is still in the research process. Therefore, herbal medicine cannot cure COVID-19.

"This herbal medicine (traditional medicine) can be used only to relieve accompanying symptoms," he said during a dialogue through the digital room at the Media Center for the Task Force for Handling COVID-19, Jakarta, Wednesday, August 5.

He explained that traditional medicine consists of three categories. Namely, herbal medicine, standardized herbal medicine, and Phyto-pharmacy.

These drugs must also meet the requirements, such as not causing side effects and not disrupting liver or kidney function.

Regarding the activity of mixing herbal concoctions, the Ministry of Health's Health Research and Development Agency has issued a list of herbal concoctions that can be consumed directly.

Even so, Akhmad Saikhu appealed that people who are used to drinking herbal medicine should continue to consume it. As long as it can increase the immunity or relieve the symptoms of the disease.

"Just increase the dosage during the COVID-19," he added.

Meanwhile, the Director of Narcotics, Psychotropic, Precursor, and Addictive Drugs Standardization, Togi Junuce Hutadjulu, said that traditional medicines must meet the requirements for aspects of efficacy, safety, and quality.

"Vaccine development is currently underway. And BPOM is ensuring that this drug will be safe for use in the context of COVID-19 prevention or treatment," he said. 

Togi described that to make drugs, the first step is a research process to find potential molecules. After that, there will be a laboratory test to determine the characterization and specifications.

"Then if there is potential for benefits and safety, the next step will be preclinical testing," he continued.

Pre-clinical tests are carried out on animals to prove the safety of the drug. So, it can be continued into clinical trials.

There are three phases in clinical trials. Phase one is to ensure safety. Phase two is to ensure effectiveness. Phase three is to confirm the safety and efficacy of the drug.

Related to traditional medicine in the market, Togi asserted that the drug must also get permission from BPOM. The public is also asked to check the packaging, label, distribution permit number, and expiration date. If there are any doubts about a product, the public can contact the BPOM contact center.

Regarding vaccine development, he said that the clinical trials will be carried out on approximately 1,620 subjects in the middle of August.

"The one who did it was Padjadjaran University, Faculty of Medicine. This is a collaboration between Bio Farma," added Togi.

Biofarma is expected to apply for a vaccine distribution permit in January 2021. It is expected that the approval can be issued in February 2021.

Finally, Togi asked the public to remain vigilant about claims in a product. Both modern and traditional medicine, especially in this COVID-19 pandemic situation.