Table of Contents
MAJOR DECISION
- In view of the humanitarian aspects of #COVID19 pandemic, it has been decided that India would licence paracetamol & Hydroxychloroquine in appropriate quantities to all our neighbouring countrieswho are dependent on our capabilities: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)
PREVIOUS INSTANCE (FROM 2019)
INDIA AND NEIGHBOURS-PHARMACY
WHAT MEA SAID
- 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:
- Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)
EXISTING STOCK
- “India’s stock positioncould allow our companies to meet the export commitments that they had contracted,” Srivastavastated
IMPLICATIONS
- The decision means India will now honour all those ordersit has received in the past few weeks from countries such as the US, Brazil, Spain, France, Germany, Israel, the UK, Australia and the Gulf countries, among others.
THE CONTROVERSY
- MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava conveyed that India had revised its position on export of critical drugs. He claimed that a section of the media was trying to “create unnecessary controversy” over COVID-19 drugs.
UNNECESSARY CONTROVERSY