Lifesaving drugs should be made available to Indians first: Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi's comments came after the government said that India would export an anti-malarial drug, hydroxychloroquine, to several countries on a case-by-case basis, in sync with its commitment to the international community to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
In Short
- Lifesaving drugs should be for Indians first: Rahul
- India has received requests for hydroxychloroquine
- Old and inexpensive drug is used to treat malaria
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Tuesday that India must help all countries in their fight against coronavirus but lifesaving medicines should be made available to Indians first.
"Friendship isn't about retaliation. India must help all nations in their hour of need but lifesaving medicines should be made available to Indians in ample quantities first," he said on Twitter.
Gandhi's reaction came after the Ministry of External Affairs said that India would export anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine to several countries, including those in the neighbourhood, on a case-by-case basis in sync with its commitment to the international community to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
Friendship isn’t about retaliation. India must help all nations in their hour of need but lifesaving medicines should be made available to Indians in ample quantities first. Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 7, 2020
Hydroxychloroquine is an old and inexpensive drug used to treat malaria.
Last month, India banned export of hydroxychloroquine in the midst of views that the drug could be used as potential anti-viral agent to protect healthcare workers treating Covid-19 patients from the infection.
India has received requests from several other countries, including its immediate neighbours Sri Lanka and Nepal, for supply of hydroxychloroquine.
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