BPOM probes 22 hazardous herbal medicines, majority are sexual enhancement products

Jakarta — The Indonesian Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) has identified 22 brands of Obat Bahan Alam (OBA) that were found to contain Bahan Kimia Obat (BKO) during its surveillance period in March 2026, 13 of which were male stamina products, with follow-up investigations under way. BPOM chief Taruna Ikrar said in Jakarta on Friday that six brands were aches-and-pains products, one brand was a body-weight gain product, and two brands were itching-relief products containing BKO. Substances detected in the 22 products included sildenafil, tadalafil, nortadalafil, paracetamol, methyltestosterone, dexamethasone, and miconazole. “A total of 10 of them already have a NIE. Meanwhile, 12 OBA products do not have a NIE or display fictitious NIE on their packaging,” Taruna stated. “These illegal products are produced by parties not officially identifiable or using fictitious manufacturer identities to mislead consumers. The absence of a marketing authorisation means these products have never undergone BPOM’s safety, efficacy, and quality evaluation, thereby posing serious risks to consumers.” The list of products is as follows: - Gutamin - Fu Wei Capsules - GERANIUM WILFORDII OINTMENT - Maduon - Happyco - Sehat Pria - Godong Ijo - Djinggo - Sultan-Co - Pegal Linu Sarang Klanceng - Kopi Arab Gold Plus Tongkat Ali - Kopi Super Jantan - Samyun Wan - Dua Cobra Gatal-Gatal (Eksim) - ASAMULYN - Bio Nerve Energy Boost Up NDR Group Resources - Kapsul Strong Love - Sinatren - Nyerat Nyeri Tulang & Asam Urat - YAMAN STRONG HONEY - U.S.A VIAGRA - VIGRA PLATINUM Taruna explained that OBA containing sildenafil, tadalafil, and nortadalafil in male-stamina products poses risks of heart attack, stroke, and sudden death if used without medical supervision. “Meanwhile, uncontrolled use of dexamethasone, prednisolone, sodium diclofenac, and mefenamic acid in ache-and-pains products can trigger kidney damage, gastric bleeding, and even moon face due to hormonal disorders,” he added. Exposure to substances such as cyproheptadine and chlorpheniramine maleate over long periods without precise dosing risks heavy drowsiness, metabolic disturbances, and liver function impairment. “The products are male-stamina items containing sildenafil and tadalafil, along with slimming products detected to contain furosemide,” he noted. Based on BPOM’s tracing, the two products do not circulate in Indonesia. However, the possibility of cross-border cross-border illegal circulation cannot be ruled out. The public is urged not to buy or consume these products to avoid serious health risks. BPOM is committed to taking firm action against business operators who deliberately add BKO to herbal medicines, and to imposing sanctions under applicable regulations and laws. Taruna urged the public to use only pharmaceutical service channels or trusted drugstores, and to report via HALOBPOM 1500533, BPOM’s official social media channels, and Balai Besar/Balai/Loka POM if they suspect violations involving production, distribution, promotion, and/or advertising of OBA and SK.