Cak Imin Asks KPPU And Police To Close Business Of COVID-19 Drug Hoarders

JAKARTA - Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives Muhaimin Iskandar asked Pharmaceutical SOEs to cooperate with the private sector to ensure that the supply of drugs, vitamins, and supplements for handling COVID-19 is available on the market. So that people can buy drugs at affordable prices.

This was said by Muhaimin in response to the scarcity of drugs and the spike in prices that exceeded the highest retail price (HET), amid the Java-Bali Emergency Restrictions on Community Activities (PPKM) and the increase in COVID-19 cases in the country.

The PKB general chairman also urged the Ministry of Health and the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) to cooperate with the COVID-19 Task Force and the Police to oversee supply, price, and competition in the sale of drugs circulating in the market. Also, ensure that the drugs sold already have a distribution permit from the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM).

"I ask the KPPU and the Police to give strict warnings up to temporary closure sanctions for individuals who are proven to be playing with prices or hoarding COVID-19 drugs, in order to provide a deterrent effect for other individuals and drug entrepreneurs, so that they can sell drugs at prices according to HET," said Muhaimin. alias Cak Imin told reporters Thursday, July 8.

Cak Imin also considered that the Ministry of Communication and Information and Cyber Crime Bareskrim Polri needed to carry out cyber patrols selling drugs on digital platforms. In fact, taking action against people who sell drugs at prices much higher than HET in line with increasing public demand through online shopping platforms.

"I also urge the public not to panic buy drugs to treat COVID-19 and to prioritize patients who are in greater need of these drugs," said the Chairperson of the Indonesian House of Representatives' COVID-19 Disaster Management Teamwas.