Food and medicines

Food and medicines

From Kompas

I would like to comment on the hectic advertisements for "healthy food," "traditional medicines," and the like, claiming that they can cure several serious diseases such as cancer and diabetes. I wish in particular to refer to the polemic between Dr. Bayu P. Hie and Mr. Johnny (Kompas, March 20, 1997).

Mr. Johnny has been advertising a medicine which offers a cure for cancer. It should be noted that the Ministry of Health's regulation No.193/Kab/B.VII/71, article 7, paragraph (1) confirms the banning of advertisements of medicines that can only be sold under the doctor's prescriptions, and medicines that are used to cure or prevent such diseases as tuberculosis, genital diseases, poliomylitis, cancer, diabetes and other illnesses to be determined later. There is an exception to this regulation. Advertisements of those medicines are permitted in magazines and special publications which are professional in nature, again with special permission from the Ministry of Health.

It is clear that adversarial advertisements are in violation of the regulation. The prohibition is meant to protect consumers from the possibility of deception. If Mr. Johnny could prove the efficaciousness of his medicines, he may advertise them in the medical or pharmaceutical magazines and can carry out marketing abroad. He could also obtain patents.

Indonesia is at present flooded by healthy food and herbal ingredients from more advanced countries via advertisements, dispensary or door-to-door visits. On the other hand, our herbal medicine exports are obstructed because many other countries have imposed strict regulations on their import policies.

SUNARTO P.

Member of Advisory Council

of National Health

Jakarta