The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on March 23, 2020 approved the use of hydroxychloroquine as prophylaxis by healthcare workers taking care of COVID-19 cases and asymptomatic household contacts of confirmed cases. ICMR Director-General Balram Bhargava sait that he recommendation is for empirical use of the drug based on available evidence and is restricted for use by only two categories of people and under strict supervision of a doctor.
The ICMR also cautioned against the unrestricted use of the drug, stating that “it is still at an experimental stage and is not recommended for public use.”
Exports banned: Government of India also banned exports of anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine which is believed to have some positive effect on treatment of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
About Hydroxychloroquine
Hydroxychloroquine is an antimalarial drug that is also used for treating rheumatoid arthritis. (The Hindu and The Mint)
