TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - State-Owned Enterprises or SOE Minister Erick Thohir ensured access to affordable medicines for the people as a form of national health independence.

“Health independence must be realized. We are not against foreign products, pricey medicines, but we also have to ensure access to affordable medicines for the people,” said Erick in the commemoration event of the 97th anniversary of Husada Hospital broadcasted online in Jakarta, Thursday, January 27.

People who could afford expensive medicines are allowed to purchase them. “But this cannot be generalized with those who cannot afford them,” he added.

He underlined that access to low-priced medicines is part of the services to the people. He also emphasized that the current era of health disruption must be taken as a moment of introspection to achieve health independence.

“Health disruption must be considered a moment of introspection for independence. How come 95 percent of raw materials for medicines are imported, how come we can only provide expensive medicines to the people,” the minister remarked.

Erick Thohir previously stated that in order to suppress imports of pharmaceutical raw materials, state-run pharmacy Indofarma would focus on developing the herbal medicine industry. He assessed that Indonesia is wealthy in nature and culture that supports the development of natural remedies.

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