Coronavirus COVID-19: India partially lifts export ban on Hydroxychloroquine

“Depending on availability of stock after meeting domestic requirements, existing orders will be cleared,” sources told Zee Media.

The Department of Pharma and Ministry fo External Affairs will decide on allocations depending on the COVID-19 related situation in any foreign country. 

In an order issued on April 4, India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade had announced the total prohibition of the export of hydroxychloroquine and formulations made of hydroxychloroquine “without exception”. India has got requests from 30 countries for hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial drug to fight COVID-19.

Several world leaders have personally raised the request with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the recent conversation they had with him. From the US to Latin America to Europe, the request has come from several places. India has also got requests from Gulf countries regarding this drug.

On Monday (April 6), the government amended export policy of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and formulations made from these APIs by removing them from restricted to free category.

US President Donald Trump on Monday (April 6) warned that Washington may retaliate against India if it does not export hydroxychloroquine, a anti-malaria drug used in the treatment of COVID-19 coronavirus, to the US.

“I would be surprised if he would, you know, because India does very well with the United States,” Trump told reporters during a press briefing at the White House.

“So, I would be surprised if that were his (Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s) 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 there may be retaliation. Why wouldn’t there be?” he added.