The DPR's Request So That Drug Producers Are Investigated In The Aftermath Of The Case Of Children's Kidney Fail To Be Followed Up

Illustration (Photo by Franki Chamaki on Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The DPR's firmness in asking drug manufacturers to be investigated in the aftermath of widespread cases of child kidney failure receiving appreciation. This follows allegations that dangerous substances have been found from samples of child cirrop drugs.

"This is a good responsive step from the DPR, especially the Council Member in Commission IX who is paying serious attention to this health issue," said Political Communications Expert Silvanus Alvin, Friday, October 21.

As is known, until now there have been 192 cases of mysterious acute kidney failure in children, which prompted the Government to instruct the termination of the administration of liquid-form drugs by health facilities until an undetermined time. The government also appealed to pharmacies to temporarily stop the sale of child sirop drugs.

This is not a small issue because it is related to children who incidentally are the future of the Indonesian nation. The public is also waiting for explanations from related parties, such as BPOM, in front of Commission IX of the DPR RI," said Alvin.

There are two ingredients in sirop drugs associated with the cause of children experiencing acute kidney failure, namely etylene glycol (EG) and dietilen glycol (DEG). Alvin assessed that the supervision carried out by the DPR regarding the problem of acute kidney failure in children is quite optimal.

"This supervision from the DPR is a good mitigation to avoid excessive polemics in the community," said the lecturer at the Faculty of Communication, Universitas Multimedia Nusantara (UMN).

"For me, the seriousness of Commission IX of the DPR provides peace for parents who are certainly worried about the health condition of their children," added Alvin.

The lecturer at the UMN Learning Distance Study Program assessed that Commission IX of the DPR RI in charge of health affairs should also have the courage to reveal if there is a game from internal to external parties in the case of child acute kidney failure. Moreover, said Alvin, the child mortality rate in this case is quite high.

"It must be thoroughly investigated who is the mastermind and the culprit in this case. Health issues are the main concentration that must be considered in our country," said the British University of Leicester master graduate.

Previously, it was reported that Deputy Chairman of Commission IX of the DPR Charles Honoris admitted that he had received reports that dangerous substances had been found from samples of child mild drugs. He also asked the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) and BPOM to immediately withdraw types of consumption and drug products suspected of containing dangerous substances circulating in the market.

Charles also asked manufacturers to be legally investigated if there was an element of intent and negligence related to this.

"The Ministry of Health and the POM must immediately conduct an inspection and withdraw from the circulation of all types of consumption products and drugs suspected of containing harmful substances," Charles said.

"If there is an element of intent or negligence by the producers, resulting in the presence of dangerous substances in certain medicinal products, then the law enforcement process must be carried out," he continued.