Table of Contents
RECENT DEVELOPMENT
POINTS TO NOTE HER
- As Trump mentioned –U.S is not out of hydroxychloroquine tablets. They are making some in the U.S
- U.S has ordered hydroxychloroquine tablets from around the world and many other countries are sending them the tablets too
- India being producer of hydroxychloroquine tablets can aid the U.S effort to contain Covid 19
INDIA PRODUCTION CAPACITY
- Presently, the country’s production capacity is 20 crore tablets every month.
- India is a leading player across the globe in the manufacturing of HCQ with Ipca laboratories, Zydus Cadilaand Wallace Pharmaceuticals as top pharma companies.
BASICS
- Hydroxychloroquine
- Hydroxychloroquine, a less-toxic derivative of chloroquine, another malaria drug, has emerged as one of the frontrunners. (Chloroquine itself is related to quinine, an ingredient in tonic water.)
IN THE NEWS
- The use of the drug gained traction after US President Donald Trump tweeted on March 21 about the use of a cocktail of hydroxychloroquine-azithromycin as a “big game-changer in the history of medicine”.
WHAT ICMR SAID
- The Centre has placed the order after the country’s apex health research body, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) recommended HCQ be used as a preventive medication for Covid-19 high risk group.
- ICMR has also recommended the use of the drug for those involved in the care of ‘suspected or confirmed cases of the coronavirus and for asymptomatic household contacts of laboratory confirmed patients, apart from healthcare workers who are involved in the treatment of Covid-19.’
HOW HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE IS MADE THROUGH SUPPLY CHAINS
- China has a critical role -active pharmaceutical ingredients (API)
WHAT PM MODI SAID
WHAT INDIA CAN DO
Rapidly increase production of hydroxychloroquine tablets to export it to U.S and if possible other parts of Europe as well (this of course can be done once we have adequate supplies for ourselves too)
WHAT INDIA COULD GAIN
- If India can indeed increase production of hydroxychloroquine tablets during this time India could emerge as a country that had a very positive impact during the covid 19 pandemic
- This will help India enhance the reputation of its drug manufacturing companies