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Hydroxychloroquine

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April 08, 2020

Why in news?

The Indian government has decided to ease its recent ban on the export of hydroxychloroquine.

What is hydroxychloroquine?

  • It is an anti-malarial drug option.
  • It is considered less toxic than chloroquine.
  • It is also prescribed for patients of rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

Who makes this drug in India?

  • Hydroxychloroquine had a market size of only around Rs 152.80 crore.
  • However, several countries source the drug from India.
  • Mumbai based Ipca Laboratories has nearly 82% of the market, with its brands HCQS and HYQ.
  • Around 80% of the volumes produced by Ipca are exported.
  • Ahmedabad-headquartered Cadila Healthcare has 8% of the market.

Why has hydroxychloroquine gained attention now?

  • The International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents (IJAA), reported that Azithromycin (antibiotic) added to hydroxychloroquine was significantly more efficient for COVID-19 elimination.
  • However, the study was flagged as being too small to draw a definitive conclusion.
  • However, by late March 2020, Trump had begun to call the drug a “game changer”, and has since been pushing it.
  • At the end of March 2020, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) issued an advisory.
  • It recommended the use of hydroxychloroquine in asymptomatic healthcare workers treating COVID-19 patients.
  • ICMR also allowed doctors to prescribe it for household contacts of confirmed COVID-19 patients.
  • However, the government has stressed that the drug can only be used in COVID-19 treatment on prescription, and that it should not instill a sense of “false security”.
  • The drug was then moved to a Schedule H1 status.
  • This means patients that who needed the drug would have to get a fresh prescription every time they purchased it.
  • Following the ICMR’s advisory on the drug, various patients and healthcare professionals are learnt to have stocked up hydroxychloroquine.

Why did India ban the exports?

  • Trump’s statement promoting the drug not only led to panic buying in the US, but also impacted stocks in India.
  • So the government banned the export of hydroxycloroquine with immediate effect, to ensure sufficient availability in the domestic market.

Why did India lift the ban now?

  • The US President warned about “retaliation” if India did not heed his request for the drug.
  • India clarified that it would supply to countries that needed it the most, and to neighbours who were “dependent on India’s capabilities”.
  • Following this, India partially lifted the ban on the drug.
  • So now, exports of hydroxychloroquine and paracetamol will be allowed depending on the availability of stock after meeting domestic requirements and existing orders.
  • Shipments will be restricted and permission will be on humanitarian grounds.
  • This move was from the recommendation of an expert panel led by drug pricing regulator Shubhra Singh.
  • The panel got enough evidence from the companies on the available stocks in the country.

 

Source: The Indian Express

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