VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The increasing number of Covid-19 cases in Indonesia, especially in Java and Bali, has resulted in high sales of vitamins by up to 50 percent. Not only that, the need for certain drugs, although never officially declared as an antidote but  widely considered potential in therapy for COVID-19, has also become high. This is apparently used by some business actors to increase the selling price of drugs to the public. Apart from hunting for drugs, there are lots of people fighting over certain supplement products that are claimed to be the cure for covid 19.

In order not to harm the public, the Indonesian Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin then  set the Highest Retail Price for Drugs During the COVID-19 Pandemic. According to the Minister of Health in his press conference last weekend, it is the highest selling price for drugs in pharmacies and various health facilities that apply throughout Indonesia. However, he emphasized  the public should not be indiscriminate in buying anti-virus medicines which have never been officially declared as Covid 19 medicines.

There are some people who tend to do panic buying actions  even to the black market to hunt for drugs that are claimed to be able to treat or relieve the symptoms of Covid-19.

This is of course worrying,  considering that consuming strong drugs without a doctor's supervision can be dangerou.

In fact, the explosion of worsening pandemic cases in one country or region can be minimized through prevention by discipline in  applying health protocols. Namely wearing masks, washing hands with soap and running water, maintaining distance, staying away from crowds, and limiting mobilization and interaction.