Minister Of Health Budi Calls The Price Of Drugs In Indonesia 3-5 Times More Expensive Than Malaysia

Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin (Photo: DOK ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Minister of Health (Menkes) Budi Gunadi Sadikin said the price of drugs in Indonesia could be three to five times more expensive than Malaysia. One of them is due to trade inefficiency. This was conveyed by Minister of Health Budi after attending an internal meeting with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, which discussed the medical equipment and medicine industry. "Earlier, it was stated that the price difference for drugs was 3 times, 5 times compared to Malaysia, for example. 300 percent, right, 500 percent," said Minister of Health Budi as quoted by Antara, Tuesday, July 2. Budi said the high price of drugs in Indonesia was not necessarily caused by taxes, but there was trade inefficiency. "Taxes are at most how easy, taxes are 20 percent, 30 percent, impossible, how to explain the difference is 300 percent, 500 percent. After we saw that, the inefficiency in trading, buying and selling, there are many governance problems, buying," said Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin.

Therefore, continued the Minister of Health, there needs to be more transparent governance to find the cheapest possible combination for the procurement of medical devices and medicines. Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin will also talk to domestic manufacturers of medical devices and pharmaceutical associations to find solutions.