The Rise Of "Drug Mafia", The East Java Police Deploys The Safe Nusa Gakkum Task Force

ILLUSTRATION/PIXABAY

SURABAYA - The East Java Regional Police (Polda) will deploy the Safe Nusa Gakkum Task Force, to monitor the availability of medical devices (alkes) and the price of medicines for treating COVID-19 patients. The task force was dispatched in line with the news that there were people playing around with drug prices.

"We have also dispatched the Safe Nusa Gakkum Task Force to conduct checks on alleged irregularities in medical equipment and drug prices," said Head of Public Relations of the East Java Police, Kombes Gatot Repli Handoko, at the East Java Police Headquarters, Tuesday, July 6.

In addition, Gatot said that the East Java Police had deployed the ranks of the Resort Police to carry out direct checks on the ground. According to him, until now the supply and availability of drugs is safe.

"Several Polres in our ranks have checked the availability and distribution of oxygen. Alhamdulillah, until yesterday it was still sufficient," he said.

Meanwhile, for medical equipment such as oxygen needs, said Gatot, currently the priority is for hospitals in accordance with the provisions of the applicable law. Including the availability of oxygen cylinders are only prioritized for hospitals, not in pharmacies.

"What is clear is that the distribution of oxygen availability is prioritized for hospitals first, and there are already provisions," he explained.

Meanwhile, regarding medicines for handling COVID-19 patients, continued Gatot, they have been directly monitored by the Safe Nusa Gakkum Task Force Team. This task force, said Gatot, consists of Detection, Health Care, Vaccine Control Task Force, Gakkum Task Force, Vaccination Task Force and Public Relations Task Force.

"The rules are clearly stated in Law Number 8 of 1999 concerning Consumer Protection. So there should be no price games, let alone hoarding. We make sure to take firm action if found," he said.