Following the culture of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ which means “the world is one family”, India who had stopped its exports of medicines amid the COVID-19 pandemic, partially eased the ban to export Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and other basic medicines in order to help 13 countries. Complete Coverage: Coronavirus
Crux of the Matter
After crossing 1 million mark on 2nd April, COVID-19 has reached 2 million mark only in a span of 13 days on 15th April with USA being the most affected followed by Spain and Italy.
India is the largest producer and exporter of medicines in the world had received requests from over 20 countries. The Ministry of External Affairs after ensuring enough stock they decided to help the countries which have sought help from India. The 13 countries are USA, Spain, Germany, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Seychelles, Mauritius, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Bahrain.
"Just as Lord Hanuman brought the holy medicine from the Himalayas to save the life of Lord Rama's brother Laksmana, India and Brazil will overcome this global crisis by joining forces," reads President Jair Bolsonaro's letter.https://t.co/nUs7H84vCf — News18.com (@news18dotcom) April 8, 2020
US President Donald Trump had personally called PM Narendra Modi to request for temporarily uplifting the bans. Similarly, leaders of Israel and Brazil too had spoken to the PM after which the government amidst the full lockdown braved to ease the export and help severely hit countries.
Due to the fast-growing cases, the use of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has soared in the U.S. that quickly become the epicentre of the pandemic. Although doctors prescribing it have very little empirical evidence of whether it works. The Indian government also lifted restrictions on the export of 24 pharmaceutical ingredients and several antibiotics, like tinidazole, erythromycin, the hormone progesterone and Vitamin B12.
Extraordinary times require even closer cooperation between friends. Thank you India and the Indian people for the decision on HCQ. Will not be forgotten! Thank you Prime Minister @NarendraModi for your strong leadership in helping not just India, but humanity, in this fight! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 8, 2020
India is sending humanitarian aid in the form of pharmaceuticals and other items, HCQ & paracetamol to SAARC nations. India also on March 15 had announced US$10 million as its initial contribution to support the SAARC COVID-19 Emergency Fund. It is reportedly expected to send such humanitarian aid to African and Latin American countries as well.
The Indian pharmaceutical industry recently clarified that India has enough stock of HCQ and other medicines and if needed the production can be scaled up easily to meet local and global needs. India manufactures 70% of the world’s supply of hydroxychloroquine and companies like Zydus Cadila Ltd. and Ipca Laboratories Ltd. are the major manufacturers.
India might win its battle against the COVID-19 pandemic at an earlier date. China will continue to fight the epidemic together with India and other countries, enhance cooperation in multilateral platforms such as G20 and BRICS, contribute our wisdom and strength to better address the global challenges and promote the health and well-being of all mankind. Chinese Embassy
Apart from the medical aid, the government is increasingly trying to bring back home stranded Indians in different countries. Iranian carrier Mahan Air will bring back Indian visitors from the holy city of Qom who have tested negative for COVID-19. Countries like Israel, Malaysia, Germany, France, the UK, the Netherlands, Italy, Ukraine, Belgium, Peru, and Afghanistan have approached India to evacuate their nationals from the country.
Thank you, my dear friend @narendramodi, Prime Minister of India, for sending Chloroquine to Israel. All the citizens of Israel thank you! 🇮🇱🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/HdASKYzcK4 — PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) April 9, 2020
Curiopedia
In the request letter to PM Modi by Brazillian President Jair Bolsonaro, an analogy from Ramayan was made. Recently this Sanskrit epic has gained more popularity on social media after Doordarshan started airing the show Ramayana again.
In the EU, it is required to use braille on medicinal packaging. As per estimates, putting braille scripts on packages costs up to 5-25% of printing costs. The same is not necessary for American and Indian Market.
Curated Coverage
Financial Express – India gets ready to send aid to 13 countries including neighbourhood
CNBC – India allows limited exports of anti-malaria drug after Trump warns of retaliation
World Bank – World Bank Fast-Tracks $1 Billion COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Support for India
Economic Times – 11 countries approach India to evacuate their nationals from the country
Times Of Israel – Materials used in experimental drugs against virus arrive in Israel from India
India Today – Netanyahu thanks PM Modi for delivering hydroxychloroquine to Israel
The Week – China thanks India for help fighting virus, says country could win COVID-19 battle early
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