Pramuka market, where good and evil collide<\/p>\n
When President Megawati Soekarnoputri claimed earlier this
\nmonth that she was given fake drugs by a presidential doctor, the
\npublic was sparked once again by the persistent problem of fake
\nmedicines.<\/p>\n
The major source for such fake medicines, which was later
\ncited in the mass media by pharmaceutical experts and officials,
\nis Pramuka market in East Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Pramuka market has been a host to about 330 drugstores,
\nregistered or unregistered, since 1992. The head of the market,
\nKrenius P, said that the market's vendors formerly did business
\nat Jatinegara market, also East Jakarta.<\/p>\n
These vendors provide a variety of over-the-counter and
\nprescription medicines. They also provide vaccines stored in
\nrefrigerators, medical equipment and anything related to medicine
\nor health care. Most of the attendants, although not licensed
\npharmacists, can read prescriptions.<\/p>\n
\"People can even find the most sophisticated surgical
\nequipment at the market,\" Amir Hamzah Pane, chairman of the
\nIndonesian Pharmaceutical Watch, told The Jakarta Post. \"Once, I
\neven heard that the newest medicines from the U.S. were also
\navailable there.\"<\/p>\n
People can buy medicines at the market at prices up to 30
\npercent lower than those at registered pharmacies, locally known
\nas apotik.<\/p>\n
One of the reasons why the prices are lower is because unlike
\napotik, such dru stores are not required to pay high salaries to
\npharmacists, nor taxes to the government.<\/p>\n
\"They can hire lower-paid elementary-school graduates as
\nattendants,\" said Amir.<\/p>\n
Reports also say that the medicines sold at the market come
\nfrom \"illegal\" sources, like producers of fake drugs and
\nembezzlers of government-subsidized medicines.<\/p>\n
The vendors also obtain medicines from other sources.<\/p>\n
\"For example, a patient who has bought a one-week prescription
\nand is cured in only two days, may sell his remaining pills to
\nstores at the market,\" said Amir.<\/p>\n
Buyers can find nearly-expired or even expired drugs at the
\nmarket, but new and genuine medicines are also available.<\/p>\n
However, even though the market may harbor all kinds of dirty
\ndeals, there are some advantages about the market.<\/p>\n
Krenius said that people who came to the market were not only
\nretailers: \"There are also doctors, officials from hospitals and
\nrelatives of sick people who can only afford to buy cheap
\nmedicines.\"<\/p>\n
He added, \"And they are not only Jakartans. Once, I knew a
\ndoctor from Kalimantan who bought a bulk order of medicines.
\nRecently, some buyers came to purchase drugs for a humanitarian
\naid package for the Acehnese,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Amir also noticed that a lot of people, especially those from
\nthe lower-income bracket, relied on Pramuka market as a provider
\nof cheaper medicines.<\/p>\n
\"We have to view Pramuka market wisely, and in context.
\nAlthough evil things happen there, people apparently need it, as
\nit offers lower prices for poor people,\" he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pramuka-market-where-good-and-evil-collide-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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