Why in the news: A day after India lifted the ban on export of anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine , US President Donald Trump praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India had relaxed the ban on the drug’s export it had placed, hours after Trump had threatened retaliation if the curbs are not lifted.
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A French doctor, Didier Raoult, claimed in mid-March 2020 through a study that he had successfully treated COVID-19 patients with hydroxychloroquine. The study suggested giving an anti-bacterial drug, azithromycin, in tandem, to eliminate the risks of bacterial infection.
Hydroxychloroquine is an antimalarial drug option, considered less toxic than chloroquine . It is often given to people travelling in areas where the risk of contracting malaria is high. It is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease.
India has a production capacity of 40 tonnes of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) every month, implying 20 crore tablets of 200 mg each.
Ipca Laboratories brands it as HCQS and HYQ whereas Cadila Healthcare (Zydus Cadila) prepares the brand Zy Q. Wallace Pharmaceuticals (OXCQ), Torrent Pharmaceuticals (HQTOR) and Overseas Healthcare Pvt Ltd (CARTIQUIN) also produces this wonder drug.
