Indonesian government vows to secure COVID-19 vaccine, treatment drug supplies

The Indonesian government pledged to secure supplies and stablise prices of eight COVID-19 treatment drugs, President Joko Widodo said in an address at the parliamentary on August 16.
Indonesian government vows to secure COVID-19 vaccine, treatment drug supplies ảnh 1A health worker takes a swab sample from a woman for COVID-19 test in Yogyakarta, Indonesia on June 14, 2021.(Photo: Xinhua/VNA)
Jakarta (VNA) – The Indonesian governmentpledged to secure supplies and stablise prices of eight COVID-19 treatmentdrugs, President Joko Widodo said in an address at the parliamentary on August 16.

The government will continue ensuring the availabilityand affordability of the drugs and have zero tolerance for anyone who disruptsthe nation’s humanitarian mission, Widodo said.

He further noted that his government is working hard tochannel all resources into securing COVID-19 vaccine supplies to cater thenational demand and provide equitable access to vaccines for all nations.

The battle against COVID-19 will be futile if unequalaccess to vaccine still persists, he said, adding that the independence of thepharmaceutical, vaccine and medical equipment industries is still a “seriousweakness” Indonesia must solve.

The Indonesian government has accelerated the domesticpharmaceutical industry, including the development of locally-made “red-and-white”vaccines and production of medical oxygen, the President said.

He also highly appreciated the efforts and dedication of medicalworkers in the frontline against the pandemic

Previously, Minister of State-Owned Enterprises ErickThohir announced that Indonesia will raise domestic supplies of raw materialsfor medicine production to 50 percent from 10 percent currently.

According to the Indonesian Ministry of Health, thecountry has been struggling to import COVID-19 treatment drugs – both in theforms of raw materials and finished products – since some countries haveimposed export restrictions./.
VNA

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