YLKI Requests The Government To Implement Stricter Oversight On The Distribution Of Antibiotic Medications

The Indonesian Consumer Foundation, known as YLKI, has urged the government to implement stricter oversight regarding the circulation of antibiotics within the community. According to the Acting Chairperson of YLKI, Indah Suksmaningsih, approximately 70 percent of antibiotics currently available in the market are sold without a doctor's prescription. "This indicates a lack of stringent monitoring by the government, allowing the public to purchase antibiotics without receiving guidance on proper dosages," Indah stated in an official release quoted on Sunday, December 1, 2024.

She further noted that a survey conducted by YLKI in 2020 revealed that more than half of the respondents had never consulted a doctor prior to purchasing antibiotics. Among those who had made such purchases, over half reported that pharmacists or staff at pharmacies did not inquire about or request a doctor's prescription beforehand. "The statement from the Head of the National Agency of Drug and Food Control, which highlighted the data on antibiotic use without prescriptions, serves as a warning about the risks of resistance in humans due to excessive antibiotic use," she remarked.

Additionally, Indah addressed the issue of antibiotic use in poultry farming. A study by YLKI in 2021 found that out of 110 chicken carcasses tested, 80 percent were contaminated with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This underscores the prevalence of antibiotics being sold in the market without prescriptions for use in livestock, particularly in broiler chickens.

"Consumers will undoubtedly suffer if they consume chicken meat contaminated with such resistant bacteria," she emphasized. In light of these concerns, YLKI is calling on the government to enhance monitoring of antibiotic distribution in the field. She also recommended that the government reassess regulations regarding the dispensing and purchasing of antibiotics in pharmacies and drugstores.

Tag: Antibiotic Medications YLKI