UNS — A faculty member of the Diploma Program in Pharmacy and Pharmacology Vocational School (SV) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, Heru Sasongko, M.Sc., Apt, appreciated the Drug and Food Control Agency (BPOM) for taking action on illegal coffee with paracetamol and Sildenafil. The illegal coffee was found by BPOM in a joint operation with Loka POM Bogor and POM Headquarters Bandung in March. The operation found 36 types or 18,212 pieces of traditional drugs that contain chemical materials.
“BPOM has applied their duties well. Moreover, medicines or foods with a brand that include a claim of benefits circulating in the community must be guaranteed its safety,” Heru Sasongko explained on Saturday (5/3/2022)
Further, he stated that one indicator that guarantees the safety of drugs and foods is registered in BPOM. However, Heru mentioned that some registered products could be faked. Therefore, the joint operation from BPOM is vital to be held to ensure the safety of products circulating in the community.
Safety Standard of Drug and Food Products
Heru stated that medicinal chemicals are often found in traditional medicines or illegal food products to bring a specific effect. However, he reminded the side effects of long-term usage that often become the root issues for human health. Concerning the paracetamol found in packaged coffee, Heru stated that the medicine is often used to reduce mild pain, flu, and fever, including headaches. Paracetamol could be purchased easily without a prescription from a doctor because it is an over-the-counter drug category. Another drug found by BPOM in packaged coffee products, Sildenafil, is a drug to treat impotence or erectile dysfunction in men.
“But Sildenafil has a dangerous effect on health (if mixed into packaged coffee). This mixture could cause seizures, chest pain, even pain from uncontrolled doses,” he explained.
Heru added that there are no beverages and coffee with Sildenafil that are allowed by BPOM because Sildenafil is a potent drug whose usage is supervised by a doctor.
“Sildenafil is only used for therapy purposes prescribed by doctors. The illegal usage of the drug in the form of any mixture has adverse risk on health,” Heru explained. Humas UNS
Editor: Dwi Hastuti