Health Minister Warns Oseltamivir Cannot Be Bought Freely: Resistance Could Be Fatal

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has confirmed that supplies of oseltamivir, an antiviral drug for influenza, are still available at hospitals. However, he stressed that the drug must not be given freely, because improper use can trigger resistance and lead to a risk of death if a patient is infected with severe flu.

Budi made the statement at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Monday (28/9/2026), responding to complaints from some residents who had difficulty obtaining oseltamivir. According to him, experts have warned that taking the drug without a clear medical indication actually accelerates the emergence of viral immunity to the treatment.

"This drug cannot be given too carelessly because it can cause resistance. Later, if there is a severe flu like H5N1 in the past, the drug becomes resistant and people end up dying," Budi said.

For that reason, he explained that oseltamivir is only prescribed for patients with severe symptoms or those with high comorbidity. This group is considered the most vulnerable to complications if influenza is not treated aggressively. Meanwhile, patients with mild flu, Budi said, should rely on their own immune system.

"The flu drug, actually, if you ask doctors, should be preserved so that our immune system handles it on its own," he added.

Echoing the Health Minister, the Director General of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices at the Ministry of Health, Lucia Rizka Andalusia, stressed that oseltamivir is not a drug that everyone can take. She also asked the public not to use the drug as an anticipatory measure against influenza without medical consultation.

Rizka highlighted public concern that has emerged due to information on social media about a surge in cases and differences in drug availability between regions. According to her, the public needs accurate information and should not act on unverified reports.

"We want to ensure the public can obtain accurate information and does not take action based on unverified information," Rizka said, as quoted by Antara.

She also urged residents to avoid panic buying. Most influenza cases without warning signs, she explained, can be handled independently with sufficient rest and good hydration. If severe symptoms appear, patients are asked to immediately go to the nearest health facility.

For readers in Indonesia, this warning serves as a reminder that access to antiviral drugs is not the same as the freedom to buy them. Investors and players in the pharmaceutical industry need to note that a strict policy on oseltamivir use can affect demand patterns, distribution, and domestic drug production strategies. On the other hand, the public is required to be more selective in filtering health information circulating in the digital space.

Going forward, the question is not merely whether drug stocks are sufficient, but how prepared the national health system is to prevent antiviral resistance before a more virulent flu outbreak emerges. Distribution oversight and sustained public education will be key to keeping oseltamivir effective when it is truly needed.