DKI Jakarta Prosecutor's Office Holds Judicial Operations To Investigate Drug And Oxygen Scarcity During Emergency Community Activity Restrictions

Head of the DKI Jakarta High Prosecutor's Office Asri Agung Putra (second from right) when interviewed by media crews after removing the oxygen distribution fleet at Pasar Minggu Hospital, Jakarta, Wednesday, July 7. (Intermediate Photo)

JAKARTA - The DKI Jakarta High Prosecutor's Office (Kejati) investigated the scarcity of medicines and medical oxygen for handling COVID-19 during the Implementation of Emergency Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM). Are there people playing behind an urgent situation like during this Emergency PPKM?

To investigate allegations like this, the Jakarta Attorney General's Office held an operation. "We have made a judicial intelligence operation to detect information about the scarcity of drugs and oxygen", said Head of the DKI Jakarta High Prosecutor's Office (Kajati) Asri Agung Putra when releasing the oxygen distribution fleet at Pasar Minggu Hospital, Jakarta, Wednesday, July 7.

According to him, his party will investigate whether there are irregularities or because of the increasing needs or requests from the public.

The Adhyaksa Corps will cooperate with the Police, namely the General Criminal Investigation Directorate and the Metro Jaya Police Special Criminal Investigation Directorate.

The DKI Jakarta High Prosecutor's Office deployed two official cars to transport oxygen cylinders to agents at Pasar Minggu Hospital, Jakarta, Wednesday, July 7. (Intermediate Photo)

Previously, Regional Police (Polda) Metro Jaya formed a team led directly by the Directorate of Special Criminal Investigation (Ditkrimsus) Polda Metro Jaya to check and supervise as well as investigations in the field regarding the scarcity of drugs.

In addition to drugs, a special team will also monitor the supply of oxygen cylinders currently needed by hospitals, as well as COVID-19 patients.

The Head of Public Relations of the Polda Metro Jaya, Police Commissioner Yusri Yunus, explained that the widespread purchase of medicines for COVID-19, including ivermectin, made drug sellers raise prices above the highest retail price (HET) in accordance with the provisions of the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes).

In fact, selling these drugs at exorbitant prices is circulating on online platforms, causing harm to the public and patients who really need ivermectin.

Yusri emphasized that in addition to buyers who must have a doctor's prescription, drug sellers and pharmacies that distribute ivermectin must have a License for Registration of Pharmaceutical Technical Personnel (STRTTK) because it is included in hard drugs.

"Those who sell it must also have a permit, the point is the permit for the Registration Certificate of Pharmaceutical Technical Personnel. This must be owned, how can you sell it online", said Yusri.

The DKI Jakarta Prosecutor's Office in collaboration with the Polda Metro Jaya will not hesitate to take action against individuals who take advantage of the opportunity to increase the price of drugs and oxygen during this Emergency PPKM.