Luhut: Strict Actions On Naughty Persons Disrupt The Availability Of COVID-19 Drugs

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan who is also the Coordinator of the Java-Bali Emergency PPKM revealed that the government will take firm action against "rogue" individuals who interfere with the availability of medicines for COVID-19 sufferers.

Luhut stressed that the government will take strict legal action against drug manufacturers or distributors who sell at high prices, intentionally hoard, and cause safety problems.

"Do checks on cases of importers or producers and distributors causing shortages in pharmacies," said Luhut, quoted by Antara, Thursday, July 8.

The request to take firm action against the "naughty" persons was conveyed by Luhut to the Criminal Investigation Police, the Attorney General's Office and the High Court. They are asked to be able to take firm action against the perpetrators who increase the price of drugs outside the applicable regulations.

Luhut added that the government is currently working hard to ensure the availability of sufficient COVID-19 drugs.

"We will increase the amount of drug supply. Now we are working hard on it," he added.

The government, Luhut continued, has also formulated treatment standards for COVID-19 sufferers based on their symptoms, namely mild, moderate, and severe symptoms. To anticipate the risks that occur, the government will also focus more on treating COVID-19 sufferers with mild symptoms.

The government has also set the highest retail price (HET) as stated in the Decree of the Minister of Health No. HK.01.07/MENKES/4826/2021 regarding the highest retail price of drugs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This price is the highest selling price sold through pharmacies, pharmacy installations, hospitals, clinics, and health facilities that apply in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, to deal with the estimated daily spike in cases, the government will encourage manufacturers' commitment to accelerate the production of COVID-19 drugs, both imported and domestically produced.

In addition, the government will also encourage the distribution of drugs evenly in every region in Indonesia.