Jakarta. The affordable antiparasitic drug Ivermectin is not a cure for Covid-19, according to State-Owned Enterprises  Minister Erick Thohir.

“Once again, [Ivermectin] is for therapies, not a cure for Covid-19," the minister said in a video published on his Instagram on Monday.

State-run pharmaceutical firm Indofarma has received a green light from the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) to distribute the generic 12-milligram Ivermectin drug. Indofarma is expecting to produce up to 4 million tablets a month. Each tablet is priced starting from Rp 5,000 (around $0.35).

According to Erick, Ivermectin will still have to undergo clinical testing.

“Like drugs for other diseases that have the potential to treat Covid-19, Ivermectin is still being tested for additional indications for use for Covid-19,” Erick said.

In his post, Erick also warned the public that Ivermectin is a prescription-only medicine. Its consumption also requires a doctor's supervision.

"Never ever consume it without a doctor's prescription," the minister said.