India Relaxes Drug Export Restrictions Donald Trump’s Threat of Retaliation
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava has announced that India will allow limited exports of hydroxychloroquine. An anti-malaria drug that has shown promise of being a cure to the coronavirus. President Trump has touted it as a potential treatment and had asked Narendra Modi, prime minister of India. To release shipments of the drug that the U.S. had already requested.
In a typically belligerent stance, just a few hours earlier, Trump warned India that it could face ‘retaliation”. If India did not revoke the ban it had imposed on the exports of 26 medicines and also pharmaceutical ingredients in March. Currently, India makes more than 25% of all generic drugs and had restricted exports. To ensure adequate domestic stocks to meet the challenges of controlling the rising cases of COVID-19 in the country. The predicament America found itself in can be gauged from the fact that India. Had supplied more than half of the American demand for hydroxychloroquine in 2019.
Trump Warns India of Retaliation If Export Ban Is Not Revoked
US President Donald Trump said at a White House briefing that if India does not agree to lift. The bans on the export of hydroxychloroquine, “there may be retaliation”. Trump has described the drug as a “game-changer” even though there is no solid evidence that it is effective in the treatment of COVID-19.
Indian Prime Minister
Referring to the phone call to the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, Trump went on to say, “I spoke to him yesterday, we had a very good talk and we’ll see whether or not that’s his. So, I would be surprised if that were his decision. He’d have to tell me that. I spoke to him Sunday morning, called him, and I said, we’d appreciate you allowing our supply to come out. If he doesn’t allow it to come out, that would be OK. But of course, there may be retaliation. Why wouldn’t there be?”
India Softens Stand on Export Ban
The Indian government announced that India would allow the export of both hydroxychloroquine. And also paracetamol, a common pain reliever, on a case-by-case basis to countries. That had already placed orders, after meeting the domestic demand. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said “It has been decided that India. We would license paracetamol and HCQ in appropriate quantities to all our neighboring countries that are dependent on our capabilities. We will also be supplying these essential drugs. To some nations who have been particularly badly affected by the pandemic. India has always maintained that the international community “must display strong solidarity and also cooperation” given the enormity of the coronavirus pandemic, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson commented.
The Foreign Ministry went on to explain that both Hydroxychloroquine and paracetamol and also their demand would be monitored continuously. The spokesperson also clarified “However, the stock position could allow our companies to meet the export commitments that they had contracted.” Mr. Srivastava alleged there was “unnecessary controversy” regarding the drugs for fighting COVID-19. He said, “Like any responsible government, our first obligation is to ensure that there are adequate stocks of medicines for the requirement of our own people.”