BPOM Cracks Down on Circulation of Counterfeit Codrela and Trivam Fliege Drugs

The Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) is following up on the circulation of two counterfeit drugs under the brands Codrela and Trivam Fliege, both of which do not display a distribution permit number on their packaging. BPOM Head Taruna Ikrar stated in Jakarta on Wednesday that counterfeit medicines remain a serious threat to public health and safety. Counterfeit drugs may contain incorrect compositions, too much or too little active ingredient, or no active ingredient at all. In some cases, counterfeit drugs have also been found to contain other active substances that endanger health. “Laboratory test results confirmed that Codrela does not contain the active ingredient codeine as stated on the packaging, but instead contains dextromethorphan and chlorpheniramine maleate (CTM),” Taruna said. He noted that Codrela was a counterfeit drug discovered at a facility in the East Java region. Meanwhile, Trivam Fliege was discovered through surveillance of online channels, particularly marketplaces. This product is claimed to contain the active ingredient propofol 20 mg. The drug is misused by criminals because it can cause a loss of consciousness in victims. Taruna Ikrar explained that in the medical world, propofol is used as an intravenous general anaesthetic for the induction and maintenance of general anaesthesia and sedation during medical procedures or intensive care. In response to these two findings, BPOM has undertaken various follow-up actions. Further surveillance, intelligence tracing, and investigations are ongoing to uncover the source and the parties producing or distributing the counterfeit drugs. BPOM is also intensifying online surveillance through cyber patrols. From 2023 to March 2026, BPOM successfully identified 183 links on marketplaces selling the counterfeit Trivam. The surveillance results have been followed up with recommendations to take down the links promoting the counterfeit products. As a form of public protection, BPOM and the Metro Jaya Regional Police conducted a joint operation on 30 October 2025, which uncovered a large-scale illegal pharmaceutical warehouse in West Jakarta. From the enforcement action, which involved goods with a total economic value of Rp2.74 billion, BPOM seized a number of pieces of evidence, including the illegal Trivam (Propofol). He stated that his agency will take firm action against any perpetrators proven to be distributing counterfeit drugs, both online and offline, in accordance with prevailing laws and regulations. The articles applied include the Consumer Protection Law and Law Number 17 of 2023 on Health. As a form of transparency and public protection effort, BPOM has also provided a counterfeit drug risk communication channel accessible to the public via the official BPOM website at https://www.pom.go.id/hot-issue/temuan-obat-palsu. On this channel, information on genuine and counterfeit products can be viewed to increase public awareness of counterfeit products in circulation. BPOM also routinely updates information on counterfeit drug findings through risk communication channels on its official website and social media. “BPOM also urges the public to immediately report to BPOM if they find the circulation of Codrela and Trivam Fliege, whether through offline or online channels,” Taruna said. The Head of BPOM also urged the public to be more careful before purchasing or consuming medicines. Ensure that medicines are obtained from official channels, such as pharmacies. For online purchases, the public is reminded to only transact through platforms that have obtained a Pharmaceutical Electronic System Operator (PSEF) licence from the Ministry of Health or those that have partnered with a PSEF. Furthermore, the public is asked to always apply the ‘Cek KLIK’ principle—check the packaging, label, distribution permit, and expiry date—and to utilise the BPOM Mobile application or the cekbpom.pom.go.id website to verify product legality. “Let us together realise the 3S: Sadari (Be Aware) of the dangers of counterfeit drugs, Simak (Pay Attention) to information in counterfeit drug risk communications, and Sudahi (Put an End to) the circulation of counterfeit drugs in Indonesia,” he said.