US President Donald Trump infamously said that there could be retaliation if India does not supply the anti-malarial drug Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) that is being considered a ‘game changer’ in the treatment of COVID-19 patients. India reportedly lifted the ban on HCQ and several other key medicines. Complete Coverage: Coronavirus
Crux of the Matter
What’s the Deal? Trump has been endorsing the use of Hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of Coronavirus-hit patients. As the number of cases in the US crosses the 400,000-mark, this anti-malarial drug can be very useful in boosting the immunity and treating the symptoms of the worst-hit. On India’s front, it had banned the export of this essential medicine due to the growing number of cases in India. Trump and Modi had a telephonic conversation on 4th April, in which the former asked India to lift the ban on HCQ. PM Modi said that India is a responsible country and it will do all it can.
Trump’s Infamous Statement During a press conference, Trump said that there may be retaliation if India does not release the US’ order of HCQ. It is to be noted that he was addressing a journalist’s question regarding retaliation with a rambling answer. India said that it was making sure it is able to meet the domestic demand first and then it would be ready to lift the ban on HCQ and other essential medicines to the US and other countries. On Tuesday, India agreed to lift the ban on the export of HCQ, Paracetamol, and more than 20 other Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). India also said that it will supply these essential medicines to needy neighbors and nations that have been badly affected by COVID-19.
Breaking : Donald Trump warns of retaliation to PM Narendra Modi if India doesn't provide #hydroxychloriquine to US. pic.twitter.com/jZiWy46XUp — Daily Corona Updates (@TheCorona_19) April 7, 2020
In view of the humanitarian aspects of the pandemic, it has been decided that India would licence paracetamol and Hydroxychloroquine in appropriate quantities to all our neighbouring countries who are dependent on our capabilities. 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 Anurag Srivastava, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson
What Could be Beneath the Deal? India manufactures nearly 70% of the world’s HCQ and has the capacity to manufacture 20 crore tablets of 200 mg every month. This could mean that approximately 71 lakh COVID-19 patients can be treated using this medicine. Zydus Cadila, Wallace Pharmaceuticals, and Ipca Laboratories are India’s top HCQ manufacturers with Ipca leading the pack worldwide. As per the Indian Drug Manufacturers’ Association (IDMA), India also has the capacity to increase the production of HCQ. But all this for what? Well, only last month the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) partially lifted an import ban on Ipca’s two plants. As the US President takes the pandemic situation to define trade relations between the two nations, there has been mounting speculation that USFDA’s pharmaceutical bans in India may get liberalised because of this deal.
Trump in an interview to Fox News, “I spoke with Prime Minister Modi… they have… a lot of it comes out of India and I asked him if it would be ok if you released it… he was great, he was really good." India produces 70% of world’s HCQ, sufficient for its need and others… pic.twitter.com/aEfNMuhD6h — Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) April 8, 2020
Curiopedia
The U.S. drug imports were worth $86 billion in 2015, this was only 25% of USA’s drug spending in that year, meaning 75% of the U.S. drug spending is on locally made products.
Among the imports, the major countries from which the U.S. imports its drugs are Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Israel, and India.
In February, the US removed India from its list of developing countries that benefit from special trade treatments such as low import tariffs from the US’ end. The USA also urged WTO to change the same for China and India in their list, which will result in the loss of benefits enjoyed by these two countries in international trade.
Brazil has also requested India for HCQ. In the request letter written by the Brazillian president, he compared the supply of HCQ with Sanjivani Medicine (brought by Lord Hanuman in Ramayan to revive Lakshman) while requesting the drug.
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