After US President Donald Trump directly issued a mild warning that “there may be retaliations” if India fails to provide the order US had made for Hydroxycholoroquine, the Indian Government announced on Tuesday (April 7, 2020) that India will be supplying essential drugs to neighbouring countries and those that are badly affected by COVID-19.
Hydroxycholoroquine-a drug for treating malaria received is strongly believed by few nations including the USA to have positive effects on COVID-19 patients. India has the capacity to produce this drug in massive quantity.
On March 25, 2020, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry banned the export of Hydroxychloroquine. At the same time the Ministry also mentioned in a statement that export made to fulfill a humanitarian cause recommended by the Government could be approved. The ban does not apply to the factories in DGFT’s Special Economic Zones. If there are proper arrangements made on or before 25.3.2020 for the export, then such prior obligations will be honored.
Again on April 4, 2020 the Ministry said the export of hydroxycholoroquine and formulations made from Hydroxycholoroquine shall remain prohibited without exception. Following these developments US President Donald Trump who believes that this drug is a game-changer for his country’s fight against COVID-19 said on Sunday that he spoke with PM Modi and expressed certainty that India will provide the ordered HCQ US has made.
On his Monday briefing, Trump said that relations between US and India have been very good, and expressed high hopes that India will deliver. He mentioned that India has “for many years they have been taking advantage of United States on Trade” and if India fails to provide HCQ, there may be retaliations.
On Tuesday, the decision to lift the ban (partially) was announced by India. This swift reversal of decision by India came after international pressure fell. The spokesperson for Ministry of External Affairs Anurag Srivastava said “we will also be supplying these essential drugs to some nations who have been badly affected by the pandemic. We would therefore discourage any speculation in this regard or any attempts to politicise the matter.”
“Given the enormity of 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,”
Early on Tuesday (April 7, 2020) the Indian Government announced that it has lifted restrictions on 24 active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and formulations made from them. These API are now allowed to be exported. A notice issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry highlighted the 24 pharma ingredients and formulations. The notice said APIs and formulation made from these APIs are made free for export, with immediate effect. These include Tinidazole, Metronidazole, Acyclovir, Vitamin BI, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B12.