Ivermectin Price Increases, Luhut: I Ask You To Be Reasonable, Don't Take Advantage Of People Who Are In Difficult Times

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. (Photo: Instagram @luhut,pandjaitan)

JAKARTA - In the midst of soaring COVID-19 cases in the country, the price of drugs for treatment has soared. One of them is Ivermectin. In online stores or e-commerce, the price even reaches IDR 335 thousand per box.

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said his party would take firm steps against drug sellers who take advantage of increasing drug prices amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Luhut said the regulation on the highest retail price for medicines for handling the COVID-19 pandemic had been carefully drawn up and calculated. He made sure the company would not be harmed.

"But don't take advantage of the people who are in difficult times. I saw, for example, that Ivermectin was valued at several tens of thousands, when in fact the price was below IDR 10.000 and there was already a margin there. So everyone, I ask you to be reasonable and share the profits with these manufacturers and distributors", he said in a virtual press conference, Monday, July 5.

Furthermore, Luhut said the government also warned drug entrepreneurs and importers not to stockpile drugs in their warehouses. If in three days the price of medicines does not go down and there is still a shortage of medicines, the government will raid all drug warehouses.

"I emphasize that if in the next three days we still get signs of prices that are quite high or there is a shortage, then we will take decisive steps and raid all of their warehouses that we have identified", he said.

Not playing with this threat, Luhut also asked the National Police Chief to Kajati to patrol drug warehouses to ensure that entrepreneurs and importers do not hoard drugs.

"We should not be governed by greedy people, I emphasize this and we must act decisively. And we have been warned and have not heard our warning, we will take firm action", he said.

Government anticipation

Luhut said the government has also anticipated drug importers, so that they can send drugs directly from the factory. This is to ensure that there is no longer a shortage of drugs.

"Once again I urge those of you who produce drugs or who import drugs, you have been profitable for 1.5 years. But enough, enough is enough, now we are in a state of emergency Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM). That's enough, obey the regulations made by the Minister of Health", he said.

Luhut said that the government is doing this its demands for the interests of the Indonesian people, especially people who are suffering from COVID-19. Therefore, he asked entrepreneurs not to take profits continuously.

Ivermectin price reaches IDR 335 thousand

Ivermectin, which is an anthelmintic drug, is currently on the rise because it is claimed to increase immunity, anti-inflammatory and inhibit the replication of the virus that causes COVID-19. Now, the price of the drug is starting to rise in online stores or e-commerce.

E-commerce sellers such as Shopee and Tokopedia set prices in the range of IDR 250 thousand to IDR 335 thousand for 12 tablets with the Ivermax12 trademark. Meanwhile, the price for one tablet is equivalent to IDR 25 thousand to IDR 35 thousand.

Meanwhile, the Minister of SOEs, Erick Thohir, previously stated that the price of Ivermectin was quite cheap, namely IDR 5.000 to IDR 7.000 thousand per tablet. That means, Ivermectin prices in e-commerce soared 257 percent to 496 percent.

Based on a VOI search, Wednesday, June 30, one of the sellers at Shopee offered the drug Ivermectin 12 milligrams (mg), with the trademark Ivermax12 at a price of IDR 250 thousand for 10 tablets. This medicine has sold 13 boxes. This five-star sale is located in North Jakarta.

Meanwhile, there are also sellers who sell at a price of IDR 299 thousand for 10 tablets. This means that for one tablet the price is IDR 29.900 thousand. This shop has sold 275 boxes of worm medicine which is claimed to be able to cure COVID-19 patients.

Others, selling at a price of IDR 335 thousand for 10 tablets or IDR 33.500 per tablet. This seller is located in East Jakarta and has sold 52 boxes.

Not only in Shopee, similar things are also found in other e-commerce, namely Tokopedia. One of the sellers offers Ivermax12 at a price of IDR 250 for 10 tablets or IDR 25 thousand per tablet. This five animal category seller is located in Tangerang City and has sold 520 boxes.

Then, there are also sellers who sell for IDR 335 thousand for 10 tablets or IDR 33.500 per tablet. This seller is located in Bekasi and has sold 6 boxes.

Not only in DKI Jakarta and its surroundings, Ivermax prices reach hundreds of thousands found outside the capital city. One vendor in Surabaya, offered Ivermax prices reaching IDR 279 thousand for 10 tablets, or IDR 27.900 per tablet. This store has received five stars for sales and has sold 7 boxes.