Jakarta. Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin met with President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo to address concerns over drug and medical equipment prices in Indonesia, which are reportedly five times higher than in neighboring Malaysia.

Accompanying Minister Budi was Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang and Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, summoned to strategize on the domestic pharmaceutical sector.

"The President emphasized two key points. Firstly, he urged for the alignment of medical devices and medicine prices with neighboring countries. Secondly, he stressed the need to fortify Indonesia's pharmaceutical and medical equipment industries against future pandemics," Minister Budi stated.

Factors contributing to the price hike, according to Budi, include inefficient trade routes, governance, and high taxes.

"We engaged Sri Mulyani to discuss tax reforms aimed at enhancing efficiency and simplicity without compromising government revenue, crucial for fiscal sustainability," he added.

President Jokowi has set a two-week deadline to resolve these issues, addressing inefficiencies in trade routes and governance contributing to rising drug prices.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati assured that the Ministry would support and adjust to potential incentives for the pharmaceutical industry.