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India will begin shipping the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine to the US. USA
New Delhi / Ahmedabad:
India will begin shipping the hydroxychloroquine antimalarial drug to the United States, where President Donald Trump has touted it as a potential weapon against the coronavirus.
“The first shipments should start next week,” said Sudarshan Jain, secretary general of the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA).
India is the world’s largest producer of hydroxychloroquine, but last month banned most exports to secure its own supplies, prompting warnings of retaliation by Trump.
This week, the government allowed some exports of the drug, and Trump thanked New Delhi for the decision. Jain said companies in the country are increasing capacity to meet US demand. USA, including Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, IPCA Laboratories and Cadila Healthcare.
Cadila has increased production tenfold to 30 metric tons per month and is ready to produce more if necessary, managing director Sharvil Patel told Reuters.
Cadila is based in Gujarat, a drug production hub where industry experts say the shutdown has forced companies to deal with supply chain disruptions and worker shortages.
“There are 28 manufacturers of hydroxychloroquine in Gujarat,” said HG Koshia, a senior official with the drug department.
“They have all improved production in light of the increased demand.”
Mr. Jain from IPA said the companies were confident that they could produce adequate quantities to meet both global and domestic demand.
“The government is receiving many requests from other countries,” said Jain.
India is storing the supply for at least four months and has agreed to export to at least 30 countries, according to estimates by export agency Pharmexcil.
Hydroxychloroquine has not been tested as a treatment, but its use has exploded as the United States has quickly become the epicenter of the pandemic.
Deaths in the US USA Due to the coronavirus they exceeded 16,400, while the death toll in India is 206.
