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Yes, India has decided to supply paracetamol and hydroxychloroquine drugs to select nations who have been badly affected by coronavirus. This is in the wake of countries like the United States asking for India's help to allow the sale of hydroxychloroquine tablets to treat the growing number of COVID-19 patients. US President Donald Trump praised Delhi for its efforts and pointed out that PM Narendra Modi was helpful as he backed India’s position on Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ).
The Ministry of External Affairs in India announced on Tuesday after United States President Donald Trump sought India’s help in supplying these essential medicines.
The MEA, Government of India has informed that the reason behind restricting its supply of the drugs was to ensure India’s adequate supply in the first place. Talking about the new development, Mr. Anurag Srivastava, Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, government of India, said, "We will also be supplying these essential drugs to some nations who have been particularly badly affected by the pandemic. We would therefore discourage any speculation in this regard or any attempts to politicize the matter,". He further added that India is a strong believer in the oneness of humanity and always displayed solidarity and cooperation in view of such pandemics and other issues confronting humanity.
Hydroxychloroquine tablet is usually used during ailments like malaria, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, etc. Paracetamol on the other hand is used to treat pain and fever.
The United States of America is among the countries badly affected by COVID-19, and it has been looking towards India to extend help and allow the sale of hydroxychloroquine tablets. The drug is expected to be instrumental in treating the growing number of coronavirus patients. During a White House briefing on 6th April, 2020, President Donald Trump expressed his views and said that he would be surprised if Delhi refused to supply hydroxychloroquine. Donald Trump informed that he spoke to PM Modi on 5th April, 2020. He added during the briefing that "If he (Modi) doesn't allow it to come out, that would be okay, but of course there may be retaliation. Why wouldn't there be?".
India is among the world’s main supplier of generic drugs. India had restricted the export of 26 pharmaceutical ingredients and medicines which included paracetamol, in March.
Considering the present scenario and growing impact of coronavirus, India withdrew restrictions on export of 12 bulk drugs -- raw materials for finished drugs -- and essential medicines like antibiotics and vitamins, on April 6, 2020.
In the midst of the spread of coronavirus global pandemic, MedicPresents.com has come up with some useful free resources for medics who are in the forefront fighting this disease.
For more on the novel coronavirus COVID-19, please see MedicPresents.com’s Coronavirus Resource Center.
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