Linhua Qingwen Is Not A Cure For COVID-19

Illustration / Unsplash

JAKARTA - Circulating posts on Facebook accounts with a narrative of Linhua Qingwen's claims can help cure COVID-19 patients. Even though the drug is not for COVID-19.

The Food and Drug Supervisory Agency of the Republic of Indonesia (BPOM RI) explained that the traditional medicine branded Lianhua Qingwen Capsules is available in the BPOM database with the owner on behalf of PT. INTRA ARIES with Marketing Permit number (NIE) TI144348471.

"However, this product was approved by the BPOM not as a drug to treat Covid-19 and treat Covid-19 but to relieve heartburn and coughs. PT. INTRA ARIES on April 16 reported the existence of fake Lianhua Qingwen Capsules in circulation, ”the covid19.go.id page quoted as saying, Saturday, January 30.

Lianhua Qingwen can be used 3 x 4 capsules daily without a doctor's prescription. However, there is a Lianhua Qingwen Donation product that has a different composition and is given free of charge as a donation to the community through BNPB by applicants to health service facilities, local governments, and the National Police / TNI and must be used under the supervision of a doctor.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in August 2020 approved the use of Lianhua Qingwen only to treat symptoms of COVID-19 but could not treat COVID-19.

"Judging from this explanation, Lianhua Qingwen's claim to be able to help COVID-19 patients and to be able to deal with COVID-19 infection is not true, so it is included in the misleading content category," said information from the hoax buster channel for the COVID-19 Handling Task Force.