India partially lifted a ban on the exports of Hydroxychloroquine after President Donald Trump sought supplies for the United States.
New Delhi| India, the world’s main supplier of generic drugs, has lifted the ban on the export of 24 pharmaceutical ingredients and medicines made from them including hydroxychloroquine.
This comes after US President Trump threatened India of “retaliation”.
India had imposed the restrictions last month as the coronavirus outbreak disrupted global supply chains.
The health ministry ensured that there is absolutely no shortage of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in the country right now or in the future and the situation is being monitored at the highest level.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said given the enormity of the COVID-19 pandemic, India has always maintained that the international community must display strong solidarity and cooperation.
“In view of the humanitarian aspects of the pandemic, it has been decided that India would licence paracetamol and Hydroxychloroquine in appropriate quantities to all our neighbouring countries who are dependent on our capabilities. We will also be supplying these essential drugs to some nations who have been particularly badly affected by the pandemic. We would, therefore, discourage any speculation in this regard or any attempts to politicise the matter,” said Mr Srivastava.
“The whole situation (of hydroxychloroquine) is being monitored at the highest level; it is being ensured not just now, even in future there will be no shortage as and when needed,” health ministry Joint Secretary, Lav Agarwal said at the routine ministry press briefing today.
The trade regulator also allowed exports of over two dozen drug formulation and active pharmaceutical ingredients — the chemicals that make a finished drug work — in a notification issued on April 6. These were earlier put in the restricted list.
India’s decision to lift the ban was driven both by its bilateral trade relationship with the U.S. and the personal rapport between Trump and Modi, said Bipul Chatterjee, who heads the CUTS Centre for International Trade, Economics and Environment in Jaipur.
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