BPOM detects new chemical compound in herbal products, urges preventive health shift

The Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) has identified a new chemical substance, pyrimidenafil, in three male stamina herbal products: Exie, Yubokki, and Duramax. Produced by PT Bintang Kupu-Kupu, these products contained the drug ingredient, which acts as a phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor similar to sildenafil. BPOM officials noted that the use of this previously unidentified compound may be a tactic to evade regulatory testing.

Separately, BPOM Head Taruna Ikrar emphasized the need for a national health paradigm shift toward prevention and promotion rather than curative and rehabilitative care. He noted that curative treatments are significantly more expensive for the state. Ikrar suggested that Indonesia's herbal resources, such as turmeric, could play a vital role in preventive health if developed through scientific approaches.