Gov’t Sets Highest Retail Price for COVID-19 Drugs

INDUSTRY.co.id - The Government has set the highest retail price for COVID-19 drugs amid the surge in COVID-19 cases.

The decision was stipulated in Minister of Health Decree Number HK.01.07/MENKES/4826 of 2021 on Highest Retail Price for Medicines during COVID-19 Pandemic Period.

The move also came after reports of some people who take advantage of the current situation by hoarding and increasing the price of drugs in the market to generate bigger profits. Prescription drugs are even sold on various online shopping platforms at unreasonable prices.

The Government has also urged the public not to buy those drugs freely and illegally through online platforms.

To that end, the Government set the highest retail price for COVID-19 therapeutic drugs to prevent price spikes for the benefit of the public.

“This highest retail price is the highest selling price for drugs in pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, and health facilities that apply throughout Indonesia,” Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin said, Saturday (3/7).

There are eleven drugs listed in the decree are as follows:

1. Favipiravir 200 mg (tablets) Rp22,500 per tablet
2. Remdesivir 100 mg (injection) Rp510,000 per vial
3. Oseltamivir 75 mg (capsule) Rp26,000 per capsule
4. Intravenous Immunoglobulin 5 percent 50 ml (infusion) Rp3,262,300 per vial
5. Intravenous Immunoglobulin 10 percent 25 ml (infusion) Rp3,965,000 per vial
6. Intravenous Immunoglobulin 10 percent 50 ml (infusion) Rp6,174,900 per vial
7. Ivermectin 12 mg (tablets) Rp7,500 per tablet
8. Tocilizumab 400 mg/20 ml (infusion) Rp5,710,600 per vial
9. Tocilizumab 80 mg/4 ml (infusion) Rp1.162.200 per vial
10. Azithromycin 500 mg (tablets) Rp1,700 per tablet
11. Azithromycin 500 mg (infusion) Rp95,400 per vial

“The Government has set the highest retail prices for those eleven drugs that are often used to treat COVID-19 patients. I strongly urge all parties to comply with that regulations,” the Minister said, adding that Ministry of Health will be assisted by the National Police to enforce this regulation.

Echoing a similar sentiment, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said that the Government would take a firm action against those who sell drugs at exorbitant prices.

The National Police, Luhut said, has also coordinated with the Attorney General’s Office regarding law enforcement for those who sell drugs above the highest retail price.