In a notification on March 25, the government announced a hold on the medicine's export, adding that it would be allowed only on "case-to case basis" on humanitarian grounds. India has reported over 4,000 coronavirus patients so far and more than 100 deaths. This morning, however, the government said that key drugs linked to COVID-19 cure will be supplied to "nations that have been badly affected" by the pandemic.
"In view of the humanitarian aspects of the pandemic, it has been decided that India would licence paracetamol and Hydroxychloroquine in appropriate quantities to all our neighbouring countries who 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. We would therefore discourage any speculation in this regard or any attempts to politicise the matter," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said.
