India allows drug exports, says don’t politicise issue

NEW DELHI: The government has opened up export of antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine, depending upon availability and domestic requirements, not just to the US and other “badly affected countries” but also to neighbours dependent on India.

TOI had reported on Tuesday that India has partially opened up exports of hydroxychloroquine and paracetamol. MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava on Tuesday said, “In view of the humanitarian aspects of the pandemic, India will licence paracetamol and HCQ in appropriate quantities to neighbouring countries who are dependent on our capabilities. We will also be supplying these essential drugs to some nations which have been badly affected by the pandemic. We would, therefore, discourage any speculation in this regard or any attempts to politicise the matter.’’

The DGFT had notified lifting curbs on 14 drugs on Monday. On paracetamol and hydroxychloroquine, the government has decided to keep these in a licensed category and to continuously monitor their demand position. However, Srivastava said the stock position could allow Indian firms to meet the export commitments that they had contracted.

India is among the largest producers of the drug and the government believes it has enough stock for domestic use.