It is important for us, as well, to prevent drug hoarding of medicines in this difficult situation, and those who committed the hoarding are indeed heartlessJakarta (ANTARA) - No stockpiling of drugs, vitamins, oxygen supplies, and health equipment should occur during the COVID-19 pandemic, State-owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir warned.
"It is important for us, as well, to prevent drug hoarding of medicines in this difficult situation, and those who committed the hoarding are indeed heartless. They should instead unite with us (to defeat COVID-19)," Minister Thohir stated in Jakarta, Friday.
The minister also said the people should help and support each other during this difficult time, to ensure speedy economic recovery with the personal health of the public being maintained.
"We should also work to assure the availability of medicines at drugstores, therefore our ministry will increase our (drug) production capacity," Thohir said.
He also noted the importance of private companies supporting the nation in producing medicines to guarantee their availability, while pointing out important drugs necessary for COVID-19 treatment, such as Favipirafir, which has been produced by state-owned and private enterprises.
Earlier, Minister Thohir assured the public of the nationwide availability of drugs needed to treat COVID-19 infections, at least until September 2021.
He explained that his ministry, at present, is working to stock pile two months worth of drug supplies until September. The current drug production is focused to satisfy orders made by state-operated drugstores, the Health Ministry, state-owned hospital holding companies, and two million drug packages for distribution by the military during the public activity restriction (PPKM) enforcement.
The minister has also enforced a strict drug purchase procedure to prevent drug hoarding from taking place by assigning maximum purchase quotas, and requirements of proof of prescriptions before purchasing drugs.
"We will (make the purchasing procedure) stricter to prevent any drug hoarding after the purchase. We will assign a quota for each buyer and request a doctor's prescription prior to purchase. We strive to close any loopholes and to pay attention to every bulk purchase. We will watch existing stocks at drugstores and ensure availability for hospitals or the Health Ministry," Minister Thohir explained.
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Translator: Aji Cakti, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Sri Haryati
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