In general, the drug stocks are quite good.
Sidoarjo, E Java (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Muhadjir Effendy, has assured that COVID-19 drug stocks in the country are still sufficient to meet demand.



"In general, the drug stocks are quite good," he remarked on the sidelines of a visit to pharmaceutical company PT Interbat in Sidoarjo district, East Java on Tuesday.



The minister said he visited PT Interbat to ensure that the production of COVID-19 drugs at its plant is running smoothly.



Earlier, Effendy also inspected the East Java Provincial Health Office's drug warehouse.



He said drug stocks in East Java are adequate, and so is the distribution of drugs to the rest of the country.



PT Interbat is currently producing the azitromisin drug for COVID-19.



Effendy said the stocks of azitromisin at the company's warehouse are abundant, so the public need not worry.



"The azitromisin stocks are abundant. There is no problem," he remarked.



He further warned pharmaceutical companies against hoarding drugs, particularly those used to treat COVID-19 patients.



Drug producers and sellers must not capitalize on the COVID-19 pandemic to reap profits, he said adding, this would ensure the government's effort to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic is not obstructed.

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"Drug business agents ranging from producers to retailers must not capitalize on the people's sufferings to reap profits," he remarked.



Meanwhile, Maritime Affairs and Investment Coordinating Minister Luhut Binsar Panjaitan said President Joko Widodo has decided to distribute 300 thousand packages of COVID-19 therapy drugs among asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients on Wednesday (July 14, 2021).



"The President has just decided to launch 300 thousand packages of drugs for patients with no symptoms and patients with no serious symptoms on Wednesday this week," Panjaitan, who is also vice chairman of the Committee for COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery (KPCPEN), informed at an online press conference in Jakarta on Monday.



The COVID-19 drug packages will reach 210 thousand patients with an active infection, he informed, adding that personnel from the National Defence Forces (TNI) will be involved in the distribution of COVID-19 drugs.


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Translator: Indra Setiawan, Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2021