UNAIR NEWS – Since a press conference held at Indonesian Army Headquarters Jakarta regarding the finding of Covid-19 drug combination, Universitas Airlangga has again been under the spotlight. The reason is, the drug combinations able to cure patients with confirmed Covid-19 has entered the production and distribution license stages. The combination of drugs found by the joint team between UNAIR, State Intelligence Agency, Indonesian Army, and BPOM are the first Covid-19 drugs in the world.
Through a press conference at Indonesian Army Headquarters on Saturday, August 15, Prof. Nasih explained that the drug was a combination of various drugs, but Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) considered them as something new.
“As it will be a new drug, it is expected to be the first Covid-19 drug in the world,” he said.
To speed up the process of releasing the drug combinations, Prof. Nasih asked the Indonesian Military, Indonesian Police, State Intelligence Agency, Indonesian Doctors Association, Indonesian Pharmacists Association, Kimia Farma, Covid-19 management Committee and National Economic Recovery, to work together and support each other.
“In our opinion, what has hindered the process of procuring authentic Indonesian drugs is the sectoral ego. So far, it has led to a prolonged process, ”he added.
In front of press on Sunday, August 16, Prof. Nasih explained again, that the referral of combination drugs found by the joint team to become the Covid-19 drug is a variety of single drugs given to Covid-19 patients in various parts of the world. In conclusion, UNAIR found three drug combinations that have carried out clinical trials. They are first, Lopinavir / Ritonavir and Azithromycin; second, Lopinavir / Ritonavir and Doxycycline; and third, Hydrochloroquine and Azithromycin.
“Initially there were five combinations, then there was a suggestion to choose only the best three combinations, with the biggest impact. Finally, we took those three because their effectiveness reached 98%, and we conducted clinical trials by randomly testing them in the field, “explained Prof. Nasih.
In carrying out clinical trials of this drug combinations, UNAIR team did not only do it with one party and at one place. Explained by Prof. Nasih, the UNAIR team conducted clinical trials in 13 research centers in Indonesia, and each was coordinated by a professional doctor.
“Overall, we only have one team, but in some regions there are several groups that we spread into 13 research centers, because we are conducting clinical trials for the drugs,” he added.
As the Rector of Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), Prof. Nasih hopes that BPOM will expedite the production permit issuance. So the drug can be mass produced for the benefit of the Indonesian people.
“We have been asked by Kimia Farma and the Indonesian Army Biology Institute to explain technical instructions for producing this drug combination. So we hope that BPOM can expedite the permit issuance for the production of these drugs, “he concluded.
Author: Bastian Ragas
Editor: Nuri Hermawan
