India has ramped up output of an anti-malarial drug hailed by US President Donald Trump as a "game-changer" in the fight against coronavirus, even as its pharmaceutical industry struggles to make other key medicines in a lockdown.
Drug companies have seen demand for hydroxychloroquine soar since March when Trump's remarks sparked a run on the medication and caused a global shortage -- despite health agencies warning over its safety in the treatment of Covid-19.
But a nationwide lockdown in the world's biggest producer of generic drugs has hampered production with many factory workers stuck at home and most transport services halted.
India accounts for 70% of global production of hydroxychloroquine, which is also used to treat lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
Despite the challenges, Indian companies have managed to export the medicine to 97 countries during the pandemic, the health ministry said.
Comments