Coronavirus: Trump asks India to release hydroxychloroquine ordered by US
United States President Donald Trump has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to release the hold on an order of the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine. The drug is being used to treat patients of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which has afflicted over 3 lakh people in the US. Notably, India imposed a blanket ban on the export of hydroxychloroquine on Saturday. Here are more details.
What is hydroxychloroquine?
Hydroxychloroquine is an inexpensive anti-malaria drug that is being used as a prophylactic (preventive medicine) for COVID-19. In March, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) allowed the use of hydroxychloroquine as a prophylactic for asymptomatic healthcare professionals treating COVID-19 patients and household contacts of such patients. The ICMR's notification came after the recommendation of the National Task Force for COVID-19.
Is hydroxychloroquine effective in treatment of COVID-19 patients?
Certain studies have found hydroxychloroquine to be effective as preventive medicine, however, experts argue the studies were too small to establish the drug's effectiveness. Regardless, physicians continue to use it and Trump has even termed it a "game-changer" in the fight against COVID-19.
'India giving serious consideration to releasing US order for hydroxychloroquine'
Addressing a White House Coronavirus Task Force briefing on Saturday, Trump said, "After call today with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is giving serious consideration to releasing the hold it put on a US order for hydroxychloroquine." Trump, who has tested negative for COVID-19 twice, said, "I may take it too, will have to talk to my doctors."
India makes a lot of hydroxychloroquine, says Trump
Trump said, "India makes a lot of it (hydroxychloroquine). They need a lot too for their billion-plus people. The hydroxychloroquine, the anti-malaria drug will be released through the Strategic National Stockpile for treatment." Modi had tweeted Saturday, "Had an extensive telephone conversation with President @realDonaldTrump. We had a good discussion, and agreed to deploy the full strength of the India-US partnership to fight COVID-19."
You can view Modi's tweet here
India imposed blanket ban on hydroxychloroquine export yesterday
On March 25, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) had listed hydroxychloroquine as a prohibited item for export. Export could only be allowed for pending shipments or on "humanitarian grounds on a case-to-case basis on the recommendation of the Ministry of External Affairs." However, this was amended on Saturday and now there is a blanket ban on the export of hydroxychloroquine.
The amendment in hydroxychloroquine export policy reads:
"The export of Hydroxychloroquine and formulations made from Hydroxychloroquine falling under any ITCHS Code, including the IRCHS Codes mentioned in the Notification No. 54 dated 25.3.2020 is no longer allowed from SEZs/EOUs or against Advance Authorization or under the Para 1.05 (b) of Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20 or against full advance payment as specified in Para 2 of the Notification."
'Export of Hydroxychloroquine and formulations shall remain prohibited without exceptions'
The DGFT notification further added, "The export of Hydroxychloroquine and formulations made from Hydroxychloroquine, therefore, shall remain prohibited, without any exception." The withdrawal of exceptions of hydroxychloroquine export has been imposed with immediate effect.
How bad is the coronavirus pandemic?
In the US, the coronavirus has infected 3.1 lakh people and killed over 8,501. Roughly 1,500 people have also recovered. According to India's Health Ministry, 3,374 COVID-cases have been reported nationwide, including 77 deaths. However, as per a NewsBytes tally, the death toll has crossed 100. Globally, the disease has killed 64,000 people and sickened 12 lakh across over 170 countries.
