India partially lifted a ban on the exports of a malaria drug 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, the government said in a statement.
It had imposed the restrictions last month as the coronavirus outbreak disrupted global supply chains.
Paracetamol, a common pain reliever, and its formulations were not included in the list of drugs freed up for export.
Trump said late on Monday in Washington that India could face retaliation for its decision to ban exports of hydroxychloroquine.
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.
Also Read: Trump Warns India of Retaliation If It Doesn’t Release Key Drug To Aid Covid-19 Battle
Trump said at the White House on Monday he was unaware Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had banned the export of a drug that he believes is effective against coronavirus and noted he asked Modi for a supply of the medicine. If New Delhi declined to ship the medicine, the president said there may be retaliation.
India’s Department of Pharmaceuticals and Ministry of External Affairs will decide on overseas allocations of the drug, an official said. India’s trade regulator, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade had on March 25 restricted the exports of hydroxychloroquine.
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.
(Input from Agencies)
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