Insta
Amid Coronavirus Pandemic, Government Bans Export of Anti-Malarial Drug Hydroxychloroquine
Swarajya Staff
Mar 25, 2020, 10:15 AM | Updated 10:15 AM IST
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
In a bid to ensure the availability of all needed resources to contain as well as treat the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Centre on Wednesday (25 March) banned the export of anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine with immediate effect, reports The Hindu.
In a notification issued on Wednesday, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), an arm of the commerce ministry which deals with export and import-related matters, said, “The export of hydroxychloroquine and formulations made from hydroxychloroquine is prohibited with immediate effect“.
However, the Union Ministry of External Affairs can recommend the export of the drug on a case to case basis on humanitarian grounds.
The ban on the export of the anti-malarial drug comes as the Director General (DG) of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had on Monday (23 March) recommended the usage of the drug for treating healthcare workers handling the suspected, or confirmed cases, and also the asymptomatic household contacts of the laboratory-confirmed cases.
However, the usage of the drug has been permitted in a restricted manner in emergency situations.
It should be noted that India has already banned the export of sanitisers, surgical masks and ventilators.
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Introducing ElectionsHQ + 50 Ground Reports Project
The 2024 elections might seem easy to guess, but there are some important questions that shouldn't be missed.
Do freebies still sway voters? Do people prioritise infrastructure when voting? How will Punjab vote?
The answers to these questions provide great insights into where we, as a country, are headed in the years to come.
Swarajya is starting a project with an aim to do 50 solid ground stories and a smart commentary service on WhatsApp, a one-of-a-kind. We'd love your support during this election season.
Click below to contribute.