Government removes export curbs on formulations from Paracetamol
On Friday, the government announced to have removed restrictions on exports of medicines made from Paracetamol amid the outbreak of COVID-19. However, restrictions on exports of Paracetamol active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs or raw materials) will continue, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification.
To export a product, which is under a restricted category, an exporter requires no-objection certificate or permission of a licence from the DGFT.
The government on 3 March had put export restrictions on 26 pharma ingredients and medicines, including paracetamol.
However on 6 April, it removed the export restrictions on 24 APIs and formulations excluding Paracetamol.
According to Mumbai-based doctor Sachin Ramteke, Paracetamol is used commonly to treat body pain and fever.
"It is used as symptomatic treatment to control body temperature," he said.
Though the efficacy of HCQ to treat coronavirus is not yet clinically proven, it shot to prominence in the wake of US President Donald Trump recently describing the product as a “game changer.”
He had also called Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking for release of the HCQ orders placed by the US, something India subsequently agreed to. Since then, besides to the U.S., the country has reportedly permitted export to a few more countries as well.
Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council of India wanted the Centre to resume export of Paracetamol APIs too.
Pharmexcil Director General Ravi Uday Bhaskar had earlier represented to the DGFT to permit export of Paracetamol API and formulations that were manufactured prior to March 3 and stocked for shipment at the ports.
“Pharmexcil will renew its appeal on the APIs to the DGFT”, he said after hearing Friday's decision.
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