REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Head of Drugs and Food Monitoring Agency (BPOM) Roy Sparingga cautioned the society to be wary of the dangers of illegal drugs and cosmetic products being sold online or on websites on the internet. On Wednesday, Roy Sparingga pointed out that the drugs and cosmetic products sold online might not have the relevant permit issued by the BPOM and pose a high risk to the consumers.
"Don't buy (drugs and cosmetics) online because it's dangerous. Buy them in legal places," Roy Sparingga emphasized.
Counterfeit drugs often contain dubious and harmful substances, which can even lead to death in extreme cases. Those drugs and cosmetics are similar in appearance to the original ones, but usually cheaper and may harm the users. They might only contain flour, placebo, or sub-standard substances, despite the low manufacturing sanitation procedure, Sparingga noted.
The BPOM cooperated with the Interpol during the Pangea Operation on June 18-25 2013, wherein they managed to seize illegal and counterfeit drugs valued at 5.6 billion IDR or about 466 thousand USD from the 20 outlets that were raided. Legal action has taken against 14 of the 20 outlets. The agency also managed to shut down 129 online shops selling illegal drugs and cosmetics.
Besides being imported, illegal drugs are also manufactured in some areas in Indonesia such as Medan, Aceh, Jambi, Bandung, and Jakarta, Sparingga noted.
Head of Anti Counterfeit Indonesian Society (MIAP) Widyaretna Buenastuti advised that the people should buy drugs and cosmetics from legal drug stores in order to prevent any unwanted risk or side-effect.
"If we buy them from the pharmacy, our rights as consumers are protected," Buenastuti stated.
Competition
The rampant illegal drugs and cosmetics trade has driven the MIAP to conduct a Public Service Announcement Competition 2014 on the dangers of counterfeit drugs and cosmetics. The competition is supported by the Minister of Health, Minister of Trade, Drugs and Food Monitoring Agency, and the United States of America Embassy to Indonesia.
The competition with total prize money of 40 million IDR is open to participants in the age group of 18-25 years. The submissions should reach by April 1st, while the winners will be announced on April 30th. The terms and conditions of the PSA Competition 2014 can be accessed through MIAPs Twitter account @MiapAsli.
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