India Lifts Partial Ban On Hydroxychloroquine After Trump’s Request

The Indian government has decided to lift a partial ban on hydroxychloroquine. The development comes after US President Donald Trump requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to export the drug to aid America’s fight against the deadly COVID-19 disease.

The government will, following the decision, clear the existing orders immediately on humanitarian grounds. The government will not ban but restrict the export of hydroxychloroquine and paracetamol depending on the availability of stock after meeting domestic requirements.

The development was confirmed by Anurag Srivastava, Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs. CNBC-TV18 earlier today reported that India was planning to lift exports of hydrochloroquine.

Srivastava said the Indian government’s first obligation was to ensure that there are adequate stocks of medicines for the requirement of our own people.

“In order to ensure this, some temporary steps were taken to restrict exports of a number of pharmaceutical products. In the meanwhile, a comprehensive assessment was made of possible requirements under different scenarios. After having confirmed the availability of medicines for all possible contingencies currently envisaged, these restrictions have been largely lifted,” he said.

The DGFT notified lifting restrictions on 14 drugs yesterday.

“With regard to paracetamol and Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), they will be kept in a licensed category and their demand position would be continuously monitored. However, the stock position could allow our companies to meet the export commitments that they had contracted,” the MEA Secretary added.

“Given the enormity of the COVID19 pandemic, India has always maintained that the international community must display strong solidarity and cooperation. This approach also guided our evacuation of nationals of other countries. In view of the humanitarian aspects of the pandemic, it has been decided that India would licence paracetamol and HCQ in appropriate quantities to all our neighbouring countries who are dependent on our capabilities,” Srivastava further said.

He added that India wuold continue to supply essential drugs to some nations who have been “particularly badly affected by the pandemic”.-CNBC