Coronavirus: India eases Hydroxychloroquine export restrictions on humanitarian grounds

Hydroxychloroquine is one of the oldest anti-malarial drugs. It can help manage the auto-immune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

In India, the ICMR said this drug should be used on asymptomatic healthcare workers in the wake of coronavirus pandemic. It doesn't guarantee "security" and people should continue to take precautions, the top research body said.

Meanwhile, the US FDA hasn't approved its usage.

Brazil and the US are two countries that have been pressing India to release the drug. On Sunday, Trump called Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the same request.

But on Monday, while addressing media, he took a more threatening tone saying, "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?"

Finally, giving in to the requests, India decided to supply the drug.

"In view of the humanitarian aspects of the pandemic, it has been decided that India would license paracetamol and Hydroxychloroquine in appropriate quantities to all our neighboring countries who are dependent on our capabilities," Anurag Srivastava, who took charge as MEA spokesperson from Raveesh Kumar yesterday, said.

However, India will cater to its domestic needs before sending off the drug to foreign countries.

People aware of the matter told HT that the Department of Pharmaceuticals, which comes under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, and the MEA will take a call on a case-to-case basis.

The cases in India are increasing every day and the death toll has crossed 100.