India to supply essential drugs to badly affected nations

India continues to be a major supplier of generic drugs in the world. US government lifted all the restrictions and allowed all 24 pharmaceutical ingredients and pharmaceuticals manufactured by them.

However, export restrictions on paracetamol and Hydroxychloroquine continued by India till Monday. The central government imposed a blanket ban on certain essential drugs last month and the decision was taken by Modi government after the coronavirus had a negative impact on global supply chain.

Nevertheless, the central government has taken a major decision today, to lift the restrictions partially on the exports of these essential drugs. The event happened in the wake of the Trump’s warning to PM Narendra Modi.

India on March 3rd banned export of Hydroxychloroquine and paracetamol to cope up with the shortages due to supply chain disruption from China.

Trump warned India of retaliation if there’s no plan to ease restriction on export of Hydroxychloroquine. He said he was quite surprised to know that there was a blanket ban imposed on Hydroxychloroquine and expected support from India during the crisis.

Today the government allowed the licensing of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and paracetamol to other badly affected nations including US due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“On humanitarian grounds, it has been decided that India would license these essential drugs in appropriate quantities to all our neighbouring countries who are dependent on our capabilities.

We will not ban but restrict the supply depending on the availability of stock depending on the domestic requirements”, the ministry of external affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said.