Herbal Drugs Safe And Feasible Consumption

Herbs, standardized herbal medicine, and fitofarmaka have the same benefits for health. Which distinguishes between three types of traditional medicine Indonesia is supporting data on the drug benefit, which is based on empirical data, preclinical data, or clinical data.

"All kinds of drugs that have gone through a standardized assessment conducted BPOM (Agency for Food and Drug Administration) that guaranteed the safety, efficacy, and quality," said Director of Standardization of Traditional Medicine, Cosmetic and Complementary Product BPOM Hary Rev. Triestanto Wibowo said here on Saturday (02/11/2011).

There are currently 6 fitofarmaka, 31 standardized herbal medicine, and thousands of herbs listed in BPOM.

To be a standardized herbal medicine, traditional medicine should have preclinical evidence, that its influence has been tested on animals. To be fitofarmaka, must have proof of preclinical and clinical evidence, that trials in humans.

Evidence of the benefits of herbal medicine is based on the experiences of people who took down the generations. Herbal tested hundreds of years to affect and maintain the health of people who drink. Savor the herbs do not need proof of preclinical testing and clinical trials.

"Although the evidence is empirical, there is already a standard assessment" he said. Assessment that, among other things, a way of making the application of both traditional medicine and check for microbial contamination.

Although the safety of traditional medicine are guaranteed, BPOM continue to monitor the side effects of traditional medicines on the market. Before supply, test the impact of drug use conducted in respondents whose condition is almost the same. When circulating in the community, widely consumed drug in the physical condition and health of various levels so that the control of side effects remains to be done.

Of routine surveillance conducted, BPOM still often find that herbal medicines contain chemicals. Limited manpower and time control makes the circulation of herbs that contain chemicals, drugs are still happening today.
In order to avoid traditional medicines are not safe, consumers can check the registration number of products through the website or calling BPOM consumer complaints in BPOM medicine and food.
Separately, Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gadjah Mada University Wahyono said, obstacles of herbal medicine is the development of the nation's heritage are still many contradictions and doubts some of the benefits of modern health practitioners. This requires ongoing research to find scientific evidence of the benefits of herbal medicine that involves the various parties.
The process also called for the standardization of herbal medicine, ranging from the planting, harvesting, until the final product.