Jokowi: The Independence Of The Drug, Vaccine And Medical Device Industry Is Our Serious Weakness

President Joko Widodo (Photo: RI Cabinet Secretariat)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said the COVID-19 pandemic showed that the independence of the drug, vaccine and medical device industry was a serious weakness that must be solved.

This was conveyed in a State Speech at the Annual Session of the MPR RI, the Joint Session of the DPR RI to welcome the 76th Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia.

"The independence of the drug, vaccine and medical device industries is still a serious weakness that we must solve," Jokowi said in his speech that was broadcast online, Monday, August 16.

Even so, the COVID-19 pandemic turned out to have an impact on the development of the domestic pharmaceutical industry to be faster. This is proven by the development of the Red-White vaccine and also oxygen for health.

Furthermore, Jokowi also said that the government continues to strive to ensure the availability and affordability of drugs during the pandemic. He emphasized that he would not tolerate the slightest of those who deliberately take advantage of the pandemic conditions for personal gain

"There is no tolerance whatsoever for anyone who plays with this humanitarian and national mission," said the former governor of DKI Jakarta.

He also ensured that the government would work hard to mobilize resources to meet the national COVID-19 vaccine needs while fighting for access for all nations. Because the fight against COVID-19 will not succeed if there is no equal access to vaccines.

"Through this vaccine diplomacy, we have shown the world that Indonesia has an active role to participate in implementing world order based on independence, eternal peace and social justice," said Jokowi.