THE GIST of Editorial for UPSC Exams : 09 April 2020 (Hydroxychloroquine: The drug everyone is looking at(Indian Express))

Hydroxychloroquine: The drug everyone is looking at(Indian Express)

Mains Paper 2:Health 
Prelims level:Hydroxychloroquine
Mains level:Uses of hydroxychloroquine

Context:

• The government has decided to ease its ban on the export of hydroxychloroquine, a drug that has garnered global interest in the treatment and prevention of COVID-19.

What is hydroxychloroquine?

• It is an antimalarial drug option.
• It is considered less toxic than chloroquine.
• It is also prescribed for patients of rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

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Who makes this drug in India?

• Hydroxychloroquine had a market size of only around Rs 152.80 crore. 
• However, several countries source the drug from India.
• Mumbai based Ipca Laboratories has nearly 82% of the market, with its brands HCQS and HYQ. 
• Around 80% of the volumes produced by Ipca are exported. 
• Ahmedabad-headquartered Cadila Healthcare has 8% of the market. 

Why has hydroxychloroquine gained attention?

• The International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents (IJAA), reported that Azithromycin (antibiotic) added to hydroxychloroquine was significantly more efficient for COVID-19 elimination.
• However, the study was flagged as being too small to draw a definitive conclusion. 
• However, by late March, Trump had begun to call the drug a “game changer”, and has since been pushing it.
• At the end of last month, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) issued an advisory recommending the use of hydroxychloroquine in asymptomatic healthcare workers treating COVID-19 patients.
• ICMR also allowed doctors to prescribe it for household contacts of confirmed COVID-19 patients. 
• However, the government has stressed that the drug can only be used in COVID-19 treatment on prescription, and that it should not instill a sense of “false security”.
• In March, Following the ICMR’s advisory on the drug, various patients and healthcare professionals are learnt to have stocked up on hydroxychloroquine. 
• The drug was then moved to a Schedule H1 status, which means patients who need the drug would have to get a fresh prescription every time they needed to purchase it.

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Why did India ban the exporting of the drug?

• Trump’s statement promoting the drug not only led to panic buying in the US, but also impacted stocks in India. 
• So, the government banned export of hydroxycloroquine, with immediate effect to ensure sufficient availability of the medicine in the domestic market on April 4. 
• India decided to ban exports of the drug. On Tuesday, the government decided to ease the ban.

Why did India life the ban now?

• The US President warned about “retaliation” if India did not heed his request for the drug. 
• India clarified that it would supply to countries that needed it the most, and to neighbours who were “dependent on India’s capabilities”.
• Following this India partially lifted a ban on the.
• Exports of hydroxychloroquine and paracetamol will be allowed depending on availability of stock after meeting domestic requirements and existing orders. 
• Shipments will be restricted and permission will be on humanitarian ground.
• This move was from the recommendation of an expert panel led by drug pricing regulator Shubhra Singh.
• The panel got enough evidence from the companies that we have enough stocks available in the country.

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Prelims Questions:

Q.1)With reference to the Centre for Augmenting WAR with COVID-19 Health Crisis (CAWACH), consider the following statements:
1. Department of Science & Technology has approved setting up of a Centre for Augmenting WAR with COVID-19 Health Crisis (CAWACH) to scout, evaluate and support the innovations and start-ups that address COVID-19 challenges. 
2. CSIR has been identified as the Implementing Agency of the CAWACH.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer.......................

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Mains Questions:
Q.1) What is hydroxychloroquine?Why has hydroxychloroquine gained attention?Why did India ban the exporting of the drug?