Here’s all you need to know about the emerging antidote: Hydroxychloroquine:

Coronavirus continues to spread frenziedly, infecting more people, and killing 1000 people every day across the world. Amidst all of this, Hydroxychloriquine is being seen as a savior drug to cure the symptoms of Coronavirus.

US President Donald Trump warned India for retaliation, and on the other hand President Jair Bolsonaro, Brazilian President Thanked Narendra Modi, for the supply of raw material in Latin America so that they can manufacture the drug.

What is hydroxychloroquine?

Hydroxychloriquine drug is used to treat malaria. This drug is also used in the treatment of Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Where in India is hydroxychloroquine manufactured?

Ipca Laboratories, Mumbai is the biggest manufacturer of this drug in India. 82% of the Hydroxychloriquine is manufactured in Ipca, and 80% of this stock is exported to several other countries. 8% is manufactured in Zydus Cadila Healthcare, Ahmedabad. The remaining manufacturing is done by Torrent Pharmaceuticals, Wallace Pharmaceuticals, and Oversees Healthcare Pvt Ltd.

What is India’s bearing on the drug?

ICMR has recommended health care workers who are in the frontline and treating COVID-19 patients to use this drug.

Union Health Ministry has retaliated that the drug should be used only after the prescription of a doctor. This is not an over the counter medicine and should not be sold without a prescription. The drug should be used only for prevention purposes, and the Health Ministry has also warned about the possible side effects of this drug.

How much HCQ does India manufacture?

The Indian Express reported that Hydroxychloriquine has Rs 152.80 crore market size in 12 months ending in February 2020. India Exported around $36.41 million worth of the drug in 2019-2020, According to the Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council.

India is capable of manufacturing 40 metric tonnes of the drug every single month that is 20 crore tablets of 20 mg. According to the Indian government, currently, the stock is adequate to meet domestic demands and export commitments, but the government is monitoring the sales of the drug.

Government has placed an order of 10 crore tablets with Zydus Cadila and Ipca Laboratories. Manufacturers have started the production of drugs. The production of HCQ will be scaled up if it proves to be successful in the treatment of patients.

Is hydroxychloroquine actually effective?

The dug is under clinical trial and testing; still there is no confirmed report on the effectiveness of the drug. WHO is also conducting a trial, in which India is also a part. Doctors follow an established protocol to treat COVID-19 patients with HCQ.

Source:- News.com