Good health service 'doesn't always mean cheap medicine'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Health Achmad Suyudi disclosed here
\non Thursday that good health services for the people does not
\nnecessarily mean the availability of medicines at low prices but
\nmore the assurance of the availability of over-the-counter drugs.<\/p>\n
Suyudi said that to set the prices of medicines was
\ncomplicated since it was related to many aspects, ranging from
\nprocurement of the raw materials to the costs of production and
\ndistribution.<\/p>\n
"We have to properly manage all aspects related to the prices
\nof medicine so as not to hurt production of certain medicines,
\nespecially generic medicine, which is more affordable for the
\npeople," he told a discussion here.<\/p>\n
The government had increased the prices of generic drugs by an
\naverage of 20 percent to help ensure the continuation of
\nproduction by drug companies, which was severely affected by the
\nplunge of the rupiah against the greenback. At that time the
\nrupiah exchange rate reached Rp 11,000 to the U.S. dollar.<\/p>\n
Director of pharmaceutical company PT Kimia Farma, Darodjatun,
\nurged the government to keep drug prices within a fixed range
\ndetermined by both the government and the industry so as not to
\nsqueeze the production of the medicines.<\/p>\n
He said that despite the price increase at least 37 kinds of
\ngeneric drugs had disappeared from the market.<\/p>\n
"This disappearance is caused by three factors, namely
\nmistakes in market surveys on the part of the producers, the lost
\neconomic value so that the products are no longer needed and the
\nsmall budget, which forced medicine companies to stop their
\nproduction.<\/p>\n
"The important thing for the government is to stabilize the
\nprices so that the medicines can still be readily available in
\nthe market," he told journalists on the sidelines of a weekly
\ndiscussion.<\/p>\n
The discussion was held by the Indonesian Pharmaceutical Watch
\naimed at examining drug prices in the country from all aspects,
\nincluding the national health funding scheme, pharmaceutical
\nresearch and production and drug distribution and promotion.<\/p>\n
Suyudi also expressed concern over the limited scope of the
\ngovernment health funding scheme, which enables the poor to
\nobtain affordable or even free medicines and the availability of
\nadequate medical facilities such as health centers, clinics,
\nhospitals and physicians.<\/p>\n
Thursday's discussion also raised the possibility of inviting
\nforeign companies to the generic medicine industry.<\/p>\n
Suyudi said not a single regulation prohibits it, but head of
\nthe food and drugs control agency, Sampurno, underlined the
\nimportance of establishing a legal foundation for such a move.<\/p>\n
Darodjatun welcomed the involvement of foreign companies but
\nhe believed that they would be reluctant to enter the market as
\nthe government sets the prices of generic medicine. (bby)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/good-health-service-doesnt-always-mean-cheap-medicine-1447893297",
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