Since June 1, there has been an extraordinary surge in demand for drugs. The surge is about 12 folds.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's demand for COVID-19 therapeutic drugs has climbed 12-fold since June 1, 2021 due to an explosion of COVID-19 cases, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has said.



"Since June 1, there has been an extraordinary surge in demand for drugs. The surge is about 12-fold," he said from the Presidential Office in Jakarta on Monday.



To cope with the soaring demand for COVID drugs, the Health Ministry has asked the Indonesian Association of Pharmaceutical Companies (GP Farmasi) to increase their production capacity and make preparations for the distribution of the drugs, he informed.


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As a matter of fact, the association has made preparations for the import of raw materials for the production of COVID-19 therapeutic drugs, Sadikin said.



"Indeed, it took 4-6 weeks to raise domestic production capacity in order to cater to the demand for drugs, which has increased 12-fold," he added.


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He said he expects much sought-after COVID-19 therapeutic drugs such as azithromysin, oseltamivir, and favipiravir to enter the market in significant quantities early in August, 2021.



"For example, the stock of azithromysin currently reaches 11.4 million (units) nationwide. Twenty local factories produce this drug. So, actually, their production capacity is sufficient," he remarked.



"Several domestic producers will soon increase the stock of favipiravir, including Kimia Farma, which can produce 2 million (units) per day. PT Dexa Medica also plans to import 15 million units in August. We will also import 9.2 million units from several countries in August. The domestic plants also plan to produce 1 million units of favipiravir per day in August," he added.


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Translator: Desca Lidya N, Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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