India to allow Hydroxychloroquine & Paracetamol export to neighbours in need amid Covid

Ministry of External Affairs in a statement on Tuesday said that India will licence paracetamol and Hydroxychloroquine in appropriate quantities to all neighbouring countries who are dependent on India's capabilities. statement added that India will also be supplying se essential drugs to some nations who have been particularly badly affected by pandemic. "We would, refore, discour any speculation in this regard or any attempts to politicise matter," Ministry said. 

Here is full statement by MEA Spokesperson:

"We have seen some attempts by sections of media to create unnecessary controversy over issue of COVID19 related drugs and pharmaceuticals. Like any responsible government, our first obligation is to ensure that re are adequate stocks of medicines for 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 meanwhile, a comprehensive assessment was made of possible requirements under different scenarios. After having confirmed availability of medicines for all possible contingencies currently envisd, se restrictions have been largely lifted. DGFT has tified lifting restrictions on 14 drugs yesterday. With regard to paracetamol and Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), y will be kept in a licensed category and ir demand position would be continuously monitored. However, stock position could allow our companies to meet export commitments that y had contracted. 

Given ermity of COVID19 pandemic, India has always maintained that international community must display strong solidarity and cooperation. This approach also guided our evacuation of nationals of or countries. In view of humanitarian aspects of 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. We will also be supplying se essential drugs to some nations who have been particularly badly affected by pandemic. We would refore discour any speculation in this regard or any attempts to politicise matter."

Central government has also removed restrictions on export of 24 Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and ir formulations, Union Commerce and Industry Ministry said on Monday.  tice said APIs and formulation made from se APIs are made free for export, with immediate effect. se include Tinidazole, Metronidazole, Acyclovir, Vitamin BI, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B12.

Several countries have reached out to India

development comes after several countries including USA have reached to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for supply of medicine. India's Directorate General of Foreign Trade on March 25 banned export of Hydroxychloroquine but said that certain shipments on humanitarian grounds may be allowed on a case-by-case basis.

Members of SAARC bloc and Indonesia and UAE have requested India to lift export ban on hydroxychloroquine, as y stare at a short of drug primarily used for rheumatoid arthritis and long-term autoimmune disease lupus. According to reports, several or European countries have also requested India for supply of hydroxychloroquine.

'India is giving it serious consideration'

US President Donald Trump said he has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to supply hydroxychloroquine tablets that can be used to treat COVID-19 patients in his country, which w has highest number of cases in world. "I called Prime Minister Modi of India this morning. y make large amounts of Hydroxychloroquine. India is giving it serious consideration," Trump said at his daily news conference at White House last week.

With Brazilian President Bolsonaro, PM Modi discussed global situation in wake of pandemic. After PM Modi, Bolsonaro also tweeted in Portuguese about his discussion with Prime Minister, saying he requested latter for support in continuity of supply of pharmaceutical inputs for production of hydroxychloroquine.

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'But of course, re may be retaliation'

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he would be surprised if India did t allow export of Hydroxychloroquine tablets to United States despite a request made to New Delhi over subject.

“So, I would be surprised if that were his decision. He'd have to tell me that. I spoke to him Sunday morning, called him, and I said we'd appreciate your allowing our supply to come out. If he doesn't allow it to come out, that would be okay, but of course, re may be retaliation. Why wouldn't re be?" Trump said.

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(With PTI inputs)