VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The National Consumer Protection Agency (BPKN) is proposing the most expensive price for an independent or paid COVID-19 vaccine of Rp 100,000, in accordance with World Health Organization (WHO) standards.

Deputy Chair of the BPKN Research and Development Commission, Anna Maria Tri Anggraini, in a virtual press conference on Monday, explained that WHO had made an estimate or some kind of benchmark regarding the reasonable price of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Her party has also conducted several interviews regarding the normal price of the COVID-19 vaccine on the market.

"The recommendations we convey are first to ensure that all Indonesian people get vaccines free for those who need it, and for paid vaccines, the upper limit is around Rp. 100,000. Because it is in accordance with the standards issued by WHO and some of our benchmarks," she explained.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of BPKN Rizal E. Halim said that the consumer protection agency had sent a number of recommendations to the Ministry of Health regarding a number of points including vaccinations and medical devices.

BPKN recommends the implementation of the Health Law in which the government must take full responsibility for public health.

"Therefore, with some of the data we convey, the price regulation for rapid tests, PCR tests, swab tests, and vaccines must be determined by the government based on the economic value and ability of the community according to predetermined standards," he said.

Regarding the price of independent vaccines, Rizal said that if this should be applied to the well-off people, then the government needs to set the highest retail price.

"If indeed it must be applied to the well-off people, then the government must determine the highest retail price (HET) based on the data we have sent to the Minister of Health," Rizal added. (Antaranews)