Health Minister: Gov’t Seeks to Lower Prices of Medicines

Minister of Health Terawan Agus Putranto is in a doorstop interview at the Presidential Palace Compound, Jakarta, Tuesday (12/11). (Photo by: JAY/PR)

The Government has announced it will tighten regulations in pharmaceutical industry and improve investment climate in the industry.

The move aims to lower prices of medicines to become more affordable for the people, it said.

“Head of the Indonesian Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) and I have discussed the regulations to lower prices of medicines,” Minister of Health Terawan Agus Putranto told reporters after attending a limited meeting at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Tuesday (12/11).

The Government, he added, will also boost investment (in pharmaceutical industry) in an effort to stimulate economic growth and to create more jobs.

Active collaboration among ministries must also be established, he added.

Regarding incentives for pharmaceutical industry, Terawan said that it would be provided by Ministry of Industry, while his Ministry will be in charge of easing regulations and permits.

According to Terawan, developing pharmaceutical industry in Indonesia is not that complicated as long as there are regulations for it.  “Hence, we will cut all regulatory constraints to lower prices of medicines,” he said.

The Minister also stated that Ministry of Health, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), the Health Care and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan), and the Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) have agreed to cooperate in the prevention of gratification to doctors. (FID/JAY/ES)

Translated by : Rany Anjany Subachrum
Edited by : M. Ersan Pamungkas