Hydroxychloroquine may be added to restricted list

Following US president Donald Trump public appeal to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to allow its exports, India may consider relaxing restrictions on the export of hydroxychloroquine. The government may place it in the restricted list which implies that exports will be allowed for companies which apply and take a no objection certificate.

Currently, exports of hydroxychloroquine and its formulations are prohibited “without any exceptions”. Quintessentially this antiviral medicine is an antidote for lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease. At present, it is being seen as a game changer in Covid-19 treatment. The export of this critical drug may be allowed on a case-by-case basis. However, the exporters have stated that there was no communication so far from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) or the commerce and industry ministry on allowing such exports.

President Trump’s appeal comes in the wake of the fact that America has the highest number of coronavirus cases so far in the world. He was  quoted as saying, “I said I would appreciate it if they would release the amounts that we ordered and they are giving it a serious consideration. But India makes a lot of it.”