Chinese medicine trading

Chinese traditional medicine imported from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Japan and Malaysia is known to be effective in curing a wide range of illnesses. Some time ago, I suffered from kidney failure but my condition has since been restored thanks to Chinese medicine. It is very much regretted that the medicine is very expensive. My medical expenses for one month are as high as Rp 2 million. In my case, the cure lasts five months!

I have heard that the expensiveness of Chinese medicine is due to, among other things, a trade regulation on Chinese pharmaceutical products issued by the health ministry. Imports can only be done by one appointed import company which, it is said, is owned by the family of a high-ranking official. Of course, the importer takes a hefty profit because of the monopoly.

I appeal to the health minister and the industry and trade minister to take appropriate action in order to abolish the monopolistic import practices for all kinds of medicine, including related raw material, medical instruments and Chinese medicine, in order to decrease their prices for the people's benefit.

Monopolies which only benefit one group of people are not in harmony with the Pancasila state ideology. Especially now, when there is enthusiasm to abolish all kinds of monopolies after an agreement between the President and the IMF. There must be freedom in importing and trading also for medicine.

There should not be a notion that Chinese medicine is consumed by the allegedly wealthy Chinese only, so they need to be extorted through their consumption of medicine. The indigenous population also uses a lot of Chinese medicine. Is the coercion of sick people in need of medicine not inhuman and evil? Please help the people by wiping out the monopoly of medicine.

It will also be fair and healthy if the import of all pharmaceutical products, raw material and medical instruments are exempt from all tax levies, as is the practice in those countries which give a great deal of attention to their people's welfare. The government should be more discerning in looking for revenue. More attention should be given to the social function of health care.

Furthermore, domestically manufactured pharmaceutical products including jamu (traditional herbal medicine) should be exempt from sales tax to make prices more affordable.

Monopolies are disguised collusion and corruption acts and should be abolished to their roots.

SUHARSONO HADIKUSUMO

Jakarta