Bengkulu Police Investigate Scarcity Of Medicines And Vitamins

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BENGKULU - Bengkulu Police Chief Inspector General Guntur Setyanto gave serious attention to the phenomenon of drug and vitamin scarcity that occurred in Bengkulu. This condition is considered to be able to slow down the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Head of Public Relations of the Bengkulu Police, Kombes Sudarno, said that the Kapolda had ordered all his staff to intensify supervision of the distribution and sale of drugs and vitamins in pharmacies.

"Mr. Kapolda has made unannounced inspections to a number of places and found many empty stocks of medicines and vitamins. He paid special attention to this," said Sudarno, quoted by Antara, Thursday, July 15.

Sudarno said that the police would investigate the cause of the shortage, whether it was due to limited supplies or because there were parties deliberately hoarding medicines and vitamins to increase prices.

Sudarno reminded providers or distributors of official medicines not to take the opportunity by taking maximum profit in the midst of a pandemic situation that causes high demand and need for medicines and vitamins.

The Bengkulu Police also requested the participation of the public who are aware of any indications of hoarding or an increase in the selling price of drugs and vitamins to report them to the nearest police station or by sending a direct message to the Bengkulu Police's official social media account.

"The police will take firm action against unscrupulous distributors and the public if they hoard and raise prices that are not fair," said Sudarno.

Previously, the Bengkulu Police Chief Inspector General Guntur Setyanto together with the Deputy Governor of Bengkulu Rosjonsyah conducted a surprise inspection (sidak) to a number of health facilities and pharmacies in Bengkulu City to ensure the availability of medicine for the people of Bengkulu.

During the inspection, it was found that a number of medicines and vitamins were missing, especially antibiotics, anti-viruses and the limited amount of oxygen for the treatment of patients who were confirmed positive for COVID-19.