Published 17:07 IST, April 9th 2020

'100% surety that India has sufficient HCQ drug stock for now & future': Health Ministry

India has enough supplies of anti-malarial drug Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) to meet the country's demand now as well as in the future, Union Health Ministry said

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India has eugh supplies of anti-malarial drug Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) to meet country's demand w as well as in future, Union Health Ministry said on Thursday. In response to a question of a "presumptive" shortfall of HCQ after India relaxed drug's export to US and Brazil,  Ministry's joint secretary La Aggarwal said, "It can be taken with 100% surety that HCQ is available to meet India's requirement. We have also analyzed future demand projection to ensure its sufficient."

official also said that HCQ, which has proved to be an effective tool in fight against COVID-19 in critical and precautionary cases, should be used only for healthcare workers (HCW) in prescribed quantities as detailed in ICMR guidelines. " related protocol has to be followed. People facing cardiac issues should t take this as it can be dangerous for m. refore, only those belonging to that particular category (HCW) should use HCQ."

India lifts Hydroxychloroquine ban

On March 25, India banned export of hydroxychloroquine in midst of views in some quarters that drug could be used to fight COVID-19. India is largest exporter of drug. ban was partially lifted on Tuesday after US President Donald Trump and Brazil's Jair Bolsanaro requested supply of HCQ to battle rising COVID-19 cases re.

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Rationally use PPEs, procurement stepped up

Health Ministry also gave a summary of stock of PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment) and called for greater rationalisation of use of such gear. 

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"Supplies of PPEs, masks, and ventilators have w begun. 20 domestic manufacturers in India have been developed for manufacturing PPEs, orders for 1.7 Crore PPEs have been placed and supplies have begun. 49,000 ventilators have been ordered," Lav Aggarwal informed.

official said that although re was an initial short of PPEs which include N95 masks, gloves, gown or coverall, head covers, etc., but manufacturing and procurement have been scaled up. However, he said that re is a need to have rational use of such equipment.

"Rationalisation of PPEs is required. At field level, PPEs are used as per risk profile basis. High-risk places use all components, moderate requires only mask and gloves," Aggarwal said, adding, "PPEs are being supplied in sufficient quantity to States by Center but things like masks should be used rationally."

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Coronavirus count goes up

Health Ministry also informed that 540 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in last 24 hours taking total number to 5,734. death toll has also mounted to 166 after 17 patients succumbed to disease since Wednesday. So far, 473 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospital.

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17:07 IST, April 9th 2020