Jakarta – Representative of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force Prof. Wiku Adisasmito worried that COVID-19 treatment drugs need to be tested by to start with being subject to scientific trials.
” This is a necessary phase before medications are utilized by the general public,” Adisasmito noted while speaking in connection with the COVID-19 antiviral drug Molnupiravir at an interview kept track of online here Tuesday.
Adisasmito kept in mind that Indonesia was open to all alternative types of treatment in a bid to increase the COVID-19 recovery rate in the country.
” The government will immediately notify about updates on the advancement of drugs and health products to support COVID-19 treatment,” the spokesperson said.
Previously, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin had specified that his ministry will carry out assessments and medical trials for COVID-19 treatment drugs that are presently in circulation.
” The Ministry of Health will continue to comply with the National Company of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) and several health centers to evaluate and carry out scientific trials for brand-new drugs,” the minister remarked.
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Sadikin kept in mind that examination and clinical trials will be performed on drugs, both monoclonal antibody drugs and brand-new antiviral drugs, such as Molnupiravir from Merck & Co.
” We have approached the manufacturers of those drugs. We have also prepared to start medical trials for some drugs,” he mentioned.
Sadikin expressed hope that by the end of this year, COVID-19 medicines ideal for Indonesian people would be offered.
The first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Indonesia in March 2020.
According to data from the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), since October 5, 2021, at least 4,221,610 people have tested favorable for COVID-19, while 4,049,449 individuals have actually recuperated, and 142,338 individuals have caught the lethal virus.
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