Concerns Raised Over Side Effects of Indonesia's Public-Private Joint Development of COVID-19 Treatment

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Indonesian pharmaceutical experts have raised concerns about side effects regarding a new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) treatment being developed through a public-private partnership involving Indonesia's State Intelligence Agency (BIN), the Army, and Airlangga University. The drug is being manufactured by mixing existing treatments such as hydroxychloroquine in certain combinations, and each of these drugs is known to have potential side effects.

According to local media including CNN Indonesia on the 18th, on the 15th, Muhammad Nasir, president of Airlangga University, and Andika Perkasa, Chief of Staff of the Army, held a press conference at the Army Headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia, to announce the status of the COVID-19 treatment development. President Muhammad stated, "We have found an effective combination using existing drugs to improve COVID-19 symptoms," and explained, "The therapeutic efficacy of some combinations has reached 98%."

According to President Muhammad, the research team conducted clinical trials using drug combinations including the AIDS treatments lopinavir and ritonavir, the antibiotics azithromycin and doxycycline, and hydroxychloroquine, known as a malaria treatment. Chief of Staff Andika emphasized, "We will officially request expedited approval procedures for the COVID-19 treatment."

However, following the announcement, Indonesian pharmaceutical experts have consecutively raised concerns about side effects. Julis Ekawati, a pharmaceutical expert at Gadjah Mada University in Indonesia, warned, "All the drugs used in the three combinations have side effects," adding, "Lopinavir and ritonavir can affect the liver, and azithromycin can impact the heart." Maksem Ratji, a clinical microbiologist at Indonesia National University, also explained, "The results of these clinical trials have not yet been published in any scientific journal," and noted, "It is difficult to evaluate the inherent efficacy and risks, and hydroxychloroquine is known to have side effects that increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmia."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.