COVID-19: Centre lifts ban on export of Hydroxychloroquine with some riders

COVID-19: Centre has lifted ban on export of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), which has been touted as a potential cure for coronavirus COVID-19 by many including US President Donald Trump. The information was shared by Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers Sadananda Gowda on Wednesday (June 10). In a tweet, the minister revealed that the ban has been lifted but with some riders.

"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,” the minister tweeted. 

Soon after the announcement, a notification was issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade which amends the Export Policy of diagnostic kits, laboratory reagents and diagnostic apparatus.

"The notification No. 59 dated 04.04.2020 is amended to the extent that only diagnostic kits/reagents as described in para 1(A) and all diagnostic instruments/apparatus/reagents as described in para 1(B) falling under any HS code, including HS codes specified above, are 'restricted' for exports whether as an individual item or as a part of any diagnostic kits/reagent," says the notification by DGFT which falls under the purview of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

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The medicine has received mixed response from experts. While some strongly believe that it can help in the battle against COVID-19, other studies claim that HCQ cannot prevent coronavirus. It is to be noted that few weeks ago the World Health Organisation (WHO) also dropped HCQ from its global study into experimental treatments for the deadly viral disease but it resume the trial of HCQ few days ago.

In the past, several world leaders have reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking for HCQ.