COVID-19 Updates -Health Ministry Restricts Hydroxychloroquine Sale

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The Health Ministry of India, on the 27th of March, restricted the sale and distribution of ‘hydroxychloroquine.’

The Union Health Ministry issued an order regarding the same and said, “The Central Government is satisfied that the drug ‘hydroxychloroquine’ is essential to meet the requirements of (the) emergency arising due to (the) pandemic COVID-19 and in the public interest, it is necessary and expedient to regulate and restrict the sale and distribution of the drug and preparation based thereon for preventing their misuse.” 

According to the Health Ministry, hydroxychloroquine is an essential drug for the treatment of COVID-19 and could be misused by the public, therefore the Ministry decided to ban the distribution and sale of the drug.

The Ministry justified the decision under the  Section 26B of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 (23 of 1940.)

The statement read,  “In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 26B of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 (23 of 1940), the Central Government hereby directs that sale by retail of any preparation containing the drug hydroxychloroquine shall be in accordance with the conditions for sale of drugs specified in Schedule H1 to the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945.”

The  Indian Council of  Medical and Research (ICMR) suggested the use of the drug as a major preventive for the Novel Coronavirus especially, for the healthcare workers.  The drug would be helpful to prevent the spread to the medical staff who are involved in treating the positive COVID-19 cases.

The issued order comes into force from the date of official notice, the 27th of March 2020.

Stay tuned for further updates.

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