India Partially Lifts Export Ban on Potential Coronavirus Treatment After Trump Call

India partially lifted a ban on the exports of a malaria drug after President Donald Trump sought supplies for the U.S., according to government officials with knowledge of the matter. Exports of hydroxychloroquine and paracetamol will be allowed depending on availability of stock after meeting domestic requirements and existing orders, said the government officials, who asked not to be identified citing rules. Shipments will be restricted and permission will be on humanitarian ground, they added. The spokesman for the trade ministry was not immediately available for comment. Normally used to treat malaria, hydroxychloroquine yielded promising yet inconclusive results in a small coronavirus trial. While Trump has said the drug is safe, it carries significant side effects. China, Europe and South Korea recommend it as one of several treatments for Covid-19 patients, while India itself advocates health-care workers take the drug regularly as a preventive measure. Still, some top scientists, including White House coronavirus task force member Anthony Fauci, have called reports that the drug might work anecdotal, and said there needs to be further study before its use is encouraged. Trump said at the White House on Monday he was unaware Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had banned the export of the drug, and noted he asked Modi to ensure supply of the medicine. If New Delhi declined to ship the medicine, the president said there may be retaliation. India’s export ban ha...
Source: TIME: Health - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized COVID-19 overnight wire Source Type: news