UNS — The entourage of the Coordinating Ministry for Human Resource Development and Culture (Kemenko PMK) of the Republic of Indonesia (RI) together with the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM), visited the Herbal Laboratory in the Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, Friday (9/10/2020). This visit was due to a direct mandate from the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, for the Kemenko-PMK-BPOM to find a herbal medicine formula to cure Covid-19 in Indonesia.
This was verified by the special staff of the Menko PMK for Organization and Governance, Prof. Ravik Karsidi, stating that herbal medicine is sought as an alternative to the existing drugs. “The Menko PMK and the Head of BPOM got a duty from the President to find a medicine for the Covid-19. One of the alternatives is to find other medicines, especially herbal medicine, aside from the existing one,” Prof. Ravik explains.
On this occasion, the Rector of UNS, Prof. Jamal Wiwoho welcomes the Head of BPOM, Penny Kusumastuti Lukito, along with the entourage of echelon I in Kemenko PMK. When entering the Herbal Laboratory in UNS, the entourage directly reviews several herbal products from UNS such as longkrah godog, susi tea wedang longkrah, susisehati sirsak and mangosteen skin, as well as anocurcuma.
While listening to the explanation from the Dean of the Faculty of Medical Science, Prof. Reviono, the Head of BPOM, Penny Kusumastuti Lukito, asked the various questions regarding the herbal drugs benefit, clinical trial results, research results, and certification protocols. She added that the UNS position in developing herbal medicine is strategic, due to its location near the Research and Development Center for Traditional Medicinal and Medicinal Plants (B2PTOOT) Tawangmangu, and Jamu industry in Sukoharjo.
“During our visit to UNS, we managed to observe the laboratory, which become a research location for the development of herbal medicine, thus establishing a collaboration between academician and research center,” Penny said. Moreover, Penny also considers UNS as a complete research site because UNS has the Diploma in Agrofarmaka Study Program under its Vocational School. The study program, according to her, can support the development of herbal medicine. Humas UNS
Reporter: Yefta Christopherus AS
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
