Ban on export of anti-malarial drug Hydroxychloroquine lifted by Centre

As coronavirus cases continue to rise in the world, Cente on Wednesday announced that it had decided to lift the ban on Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), an anti-malarial drug that has been regarded as some including President Donald Trump as the cure for coronavirus.

"Department of Pharmaceuticals has approved the lifting of ban on Export of Hydroxychloroquine API as well as formulations. Manufacturers except SEZ/EOU Units have to supply 20 per cent production in the domestic market. DGFT has been asked to issue formal notification in this regard," nion Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers Sadananda Gowda stated.

Earlier, the World Health Organisation cited the observational study by The Lancet that noted the effects of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine on COVID-19 patients that have been hospitalised. During the study, "the authors reported that among patients receiving the drug, when used alone or with a macrolide, they estimated a higher mortality rate," the WHO release elaborated.

In view of this, the Executive Group of the Solidarity Trial has implemented a 'temporary pause' on the trial of the hydroxychloroquine arm, while agreeing to review a comprehensive analysis and critical appraisal of all evidence available globally. The safety data will be reviewed by the Data Safety Monitoring Board.

However, the organisation resumed the trial of HCQ a few days ago.

Notably, India termed the drug as a 'gamechanger' and supplied to several foreign nations, including the US, Japan, Spain, Germany, and Brazil since it was in high demand globally.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had been personally approached by world leaders for the HCQ drug, and the decision to release surplus medicine for export purposes was made by a group of ministers, taking in view the domestic requirements and domestic stock availability.