India relaxed ban on exports of paracetamol, hydroxychloroquine drugs

The Government of India has relaxed a ban on exports of paracetamol and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) that are used to treat COVID-19. The drugs are currently placed in the licensed category. The move came as the US President Donald Trump had threatened India with retaliation if India rejected the US's demand for the supply of hydroxychloroquine.
Doctors and scientists are divided over the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine drug which is used to treat malaria and auto-immune diseases. It has been found that the drug hydroxychloroquine is the key to battle the infection.
A panel led by drug pricing regulator Shubhra Singh was tasked with assessing the capability and the manufacturing capacity of domestic pharmaceutical companies.
The decision was taken after verifying stock availability in the country.
India is one of the biggest manufacturers of the drug across the world.
The US along with 30 countries, including South Asian neighbours and key global partners in West Asia, had asked India to lift the ban on the export of hydroxychloroquine drugs.