Chairperson Of The Indonesian House Of Representatives, Puan Maharani, Condemns The Hoarding Of Drugs In The Midst Of COVID-19 Pandemic

Speaker of the House of Representatives Puan Maharani (Photo: Mery/VOI)

JAKARTA - The scarcity of a number of drugs on the market has made the Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, furious. She asked the police to quickly take firm action against the COVID-19 drug mafia. Puan assessed that the scarcity of drugs and the soaring price of drugs were very unreasonable. In the midst of difficulties, said Puan, the state must be present with its power to overcome high-level problems.

"The current increase in drug prices and scarcity is unreasonable, and the drug mafia acts indiscriminately. The state must be present with its strength and power to overcome this, safeguarding the people's trust," said Puan in a statement in Jakarta, Sunday.

Puan reacted when she realized that there was a surge in COVID-19 cases that was still happening, as well as the many disclosures of alleged drug mafia practices that kept popping up in the news, such as the fact that the price of COVID-19 therapeutic drugs in Papua reached Rp25 million.

Previously reported, the Police managed to raid a warehouse that was used as a place to stockpile drugs including COVID-19 therapeutic drugs in the West Jakarta area and in Bogor, West Java.

Puan also condemned the practice of the drug mafia, and asked the government to ensure the availability of drugs at reasonable prices.

“Where is empathy when sick people still have to pay a heavy price and medicine is hoarded for economic gain? Strict action against all drug mafias," said Puan Maharani.

The PDI-P politician hopes that the police will continue to follow up on the practice of hoarding drugs by unraveling the network behind it. Because Puan believes that health is one of the most basic mandates that must be guaranteed by the state.

"Therefore, the state must really be present and provide protection, including by providing access and quality health services, including guaranteeing the availability of effective and affordable drugs," she said.

The woman who once served as Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) suggested that the government increase domestic research for the supply of drugs, including therapeutic drugs for COVID-19.

Puan also asked the government to encourage the national industry to engage in the drug sector and cut down bureaucratic and distribution channels that could be a gap for mafia to play.

Puan assessed that there must be firm action to ensure the HET of COVID-19 therapeutic drugs and their availability must be guaranteed so that prices are also controlled according to regulations.

"The government also has a regulation on the highest retail price (HET) for COVID-19 therapeutic drugs, namely through the Decree of the Minister of Health Number HK.01.07/MENKES/4826/2021. This regulation is really guarded and becomes the benchmark for the price of COVID-19 therapeutic drugs," said Puan Maharani.