Our enemy is online hazardous products: BPOM

People can easily access online sales of drugs, food and cosmetic products, including those distributed without BPOM's license, including fake and expired products that contained hazardous ingredients,

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Head of the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) Penny Kusumastuti Lukito in a dialogue on BPOM performance in 2019 and 2020 outlook in jakarta on Thursday (Dec 19, 2019). ANTARA/Anom Prihantoro/sh

The National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) is facing a challenge in monitoring the distribution of illegal and hazardous products through online sales, the agency's head Penny Kusumastuti Lukito said. "Our enemy is the online distribution of hazardous products," Lukito said on the sidelines of a dialogue on the BPOM’s performance in 2019 and 2020 outlook here Thursday.

People can easily access online sales of drugs, food and cosmetic products, including those distributed without BPOM's license, including fake and expired products that contained hazardous ingredients, according to Lukito.

Related news: BPOM promotes online service for food and drug control

Distribution of nonprescription drug also tends to be more relaxed than prescription drugs, she said.

Buyers might not immediately feel the negative effect of consuming a hazardous product, but they will discover it after its prolonged use.

The agency has worked closely with the Indonesian police as well as Interpol, the world's largest international police organization, to conduct cyber patrols to stop online distribution of illegal and hazardous products, Lukito said.

BPOM has also worked in cooperation with the marketplace and intensified public education on product safety.

"Consumers must be smart. To educate people to become smart, we cooperate with various agencies including the e-commerce platform," she said.

Related news: BPOM uncovers online sales of illegal drugs worth Rp17.4 billion

Reporter: Anom Prihantoro, Sri Haryati
Editor: Rahmad Nasution

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