Patients complain of drug scarcity

MANADO, North Sulawesi: Patients complained yesterday about the scarcity and skyrocketing prices of medicines in the city.

The prices of local medicines have increased 100 percent, and hospitals often ask patients to wait days for their drugs.

The head of state-owned Kimia Farma pharmaceutical company, Armen, acknowledged the scarcity. He said the prices of imported products had increased by up to 300 percent.

"We can not currently provide generic medicines as we have no more stock," Antara quoted Armen as saying. (prb)