Covid: Ivermectin, milk among Indonesia's unproven cures - BBC News

Interest surged after local media reports said incorrectly that the Indonesian authorities had granted it emergency approval.

But the drug is still undergoing trials, and is so far unproven as a cure for Covid.

But shortly afterwards, BPOM's head, Penny Lukito, told local media that no emergency approval had been given to Ivermectin.

This happened after claims emerged on social media and WhatsApp groups that drinking this brand of milk could produce Covid antibodies.

It is unclear where this claim originated, and there's no evidence that drinking milk can produce Covid antibodies.

Nestle in Indonesia told the BBC that the company has never claimed their product can generate a Covid antibody response, which can only come from a vaccine or a previous infection.

Social media posts are being widely shared about a product called propolis, described as an immunity booster.

"British propolis", as it's known in Indonesia, has an official Instagram account where claims have been made that it can help against viruses, but not specifically Covid-19.

We contacted the company marketing the product in Indonesia to ask them about it, but had received no response by the time of publication.

There've been lots of claims about "immunity boosters" during the pandemic, not just in Indonesia but in many other countries.

about the claims you can prevent Covid this way.

We've also seen claims being shared on social media around using other natural remedies against Covid in Indonesia.

Ivermectin and milk among unproven Covid cures