India has removed export restrictions on APIs and formulations imposed by the country in March. However, certain measures have been kept in place to ensure that domestic requirements are met for in-demand products such as hydroxychloroquine and paracetamol.

National export restrictions on medicines have been slammed by the international off-patent pharmaceutical industry as being “counter-productive” during the coronavirus crisis. The IGBA is instead urging international co-operation and transparency, pointing to a positive example of supply-chain connectivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

In a bid to ensure long-term medicines security, the Indian government has earmarked $1.32bn to promote domestic production of 53 APIs, including lopinavir and ritonavir currently being evaluated to treat COVID-19 cases, as well as antibiotics, for which India is highly dependent on China.