India will supply key drugs being tested as coronavirus cure to "nations that have been badly affected" by the pandemic, the government said today, hours after US President Donald Trump's stunning comments about "retaliation" if Prime Minister Narendra Modi declined to ship the medicines. India, which supplies more than a quarter of the world's generic drugs, had last month restricted exports of 26 pharmaceutical ingredients and the medicines made from them to ensure enough domestic stocks amid rising COVID-19 cases.
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. We will also be supplying these essential drugs to some nations who have been particularly badly affected by the pandemic," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said.
The Foreign Ministry said given the enormity of the COVID-19 pandemic, India has always maintained that the international community "must display strong solidarity and cooperation".
But exports of hydroxychloroquine and paracetamol will be allowed depending on availability of stock after meeting domestic requirements and existing orders.
The foreign ministry said the two would be in a licensed category and their demand position would be continuously monitored. "However, the stock position could allow our companies to meet the export commitments that they had contracted," the spokesperson said.
On March 25, the government had restricted the export of hydroxychloroquine - a key anti-malaria drug being tested as a coronavirus cure -- saying that it would be allowed only on "case-to case basis" on humanitarian grounds.
The foreign ministry spokesperson alleged "unnecessary controversy" on the COVID19-related drugs. "Like any responsible government, our first obligation is to ensure that there are adequate stocks of medicines for the requirement of our own people," said Mr Srivastava, on restricting exports of drugs. The restrictions had been largely lifted after the availability of medicines for all possible contingencies have been confirmed, he said India has 4,421 coronavirus cases, including 114 deaths. Globally, the US has the highest number of cases. The coronavirus death count has crossed 10,000-mark in America; over 366,000 have contracted infection so far.
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. We will also be supplying these essential drugs to some nations who have been particularly badly affected by the pandemic," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said.
The Foreign Ministry said given the enormity of the COVID-19 pandemic, India has always maintained that the international community "must display strong solidarity and cooperation".
But exports of hydroxychloroquine and paracetamol will be allowed depending on availability of stock after meeting domestic requirements and existing orders.
The foreign ministry said the two would be in a licensed category and their demand position would be continuously monitored. "However, the stock position could allow our companies to meet the export commitments that they had contracted," the spokesperson said.
On March 25, the government had restricted the export of hydroxychloroquine - a key anti-malaria drug being tested as a coronavirus cure -- saying that it would be allowed only on "case-to case basis" on humanitarian grounds.
The foreign ministry spokesperson alleged "unnecessary controversy" on the COVID19-related drugs. "Like any responsible government, our first obligation is to ensure that there are adequate stocks of medicines for the requirement of our own people," said Mr Srivastava, on restricting exports of drugs. The restrictions had been largely lifted after the availability of medicines for all possible contingencies have been confirmed, he said India has 4,421 coronavirus cases, including 114 deaths. Globally, the US has the highest number of cases. The coronavirus death count has crossed 10,000-mark in America; over 366,000 have contracted infection so far.
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