inp.polri.go.id- Jakarta. President Joko Widodo orders the Head of National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) Taruna Ikrar to handle the expensive price of medicines.

According to the data received by the president, the price of Indonesian medicines are 400% more expensive than those in other countries.

Ikrar adds that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo wants the price of the medicines to be reduced, or at least the same as the generic medicine price.

He stressed that in carrying out the President's order, BPOM must coordinate with all related parties. President Jokowi has also instructed Ikrar to collaborate with a number of ministries regarding this matter.

Apart from drug prices, the Head of BPOM added that the President also wants them to develop innovative medicines. According to him, Indonesia needs many medicines from other countries, but these medicines cannot be imported.

“These are important for us, because many of us had to go abroad just to acquire specific drugs. From this issue, I saw there are correlations between the interest of the international drug mafia and the business of international health service,” said Ikrar.

“We are not accusing other countries, but it seems that is what’s happening, there are something that prevents us from acquiring the medicine,” notes Ikrar in his conclusion.

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