Police Suspect Elements of Negligence in BPOM Supervision - Ministry of Trade Behind the Circulation of Ethylene Glycol and Diethylene Glycol

Illustration of officers collecting various types ofZee brands that are temporarily prohibited from being sold at a pharmacy, Kendari, Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, Thursday (20/10/2022) (ANTARA PHOTO/Jojon/foc)

JAKARTA - The Directorate of Specific Crimes of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the National Police will investigate the element of negligence behind the circulation of syrup drugs containing ethylene glycol (EG) and diethylene glycol (DEG) exceeding the threshold. Later, the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) and the Ministry of Trade are the parties that will be clarified.

"Yes, it's not just BPOM, of course, everything starts, not just drugs, but raw materials", said the Director of Certain Crimes at the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency, Brigadier General Pipit Rismanto, when confirmed, Friday, November 4.

The deepening of BPOM is carried out because the agency has the authority in the field of supervision. Moreover, to ensure that there are no elements of negligence on the side of supervision that will affect the circulation of syrup drugs that are strongly suspected of causing acute kidney failure.

"Because we have to see if there will be negligence or intentional, we have to look into it, we have to be careful", she said.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Trade has investigated because the raw materials for drugs are polyethylene glycol (PEG), propylene glycol (PG) and ethylene glycol (EG), and diethylene glycol (DEG) entering Indonesia through a permit from the ministry.

"Yeah, we'll find out later, be patient", said Pipit.

"Yes, of course, we will investigate everything, yes. From downstream, but we go back to what the law is like, all aspects must be seen, not just the criminal aspect", she continued.

Originally, the Criminal Investigation Unit of the National Police would also examine the director of PT Afi Farma Pharmaceuticals Industries regarding the manufacture of syrups containing ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol exceeding the threshold. Examination and even then thoroughly investigate of the rise of patients with acute kidney failure.

"Well, we'll definitely do an inspection", said Pipit.

So far, in investigating the case, investigators have examined 15 witnesses from PT Afi Farma Pharmaceuticals Industries. They were examined in Kediri, East Java.

Later, when the series of examinations have been completed, investigators will conduct a case. The goal is to determine the next steps of the investigation.

"We will conduct a case first. After the examination is complete", said Pipit.