Ahmedabad: The government Thursday asserted that there is no shortage of raw ingredients or medicines in the country as it has taken various initiatives to tackle the challenge posed by the coronavirus outbreak.
All initiatives are also being taken to ensure so that there is no impact of the disease in the country, Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers DV Sadananda Gowda said.
“There is no shortage of any active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in the country. We have sufficient APIs in the country,” said Gowda. He was addressing the 5th international exhibition and conference on pharmaceutical and medical industry organised by Department of Pharmaceuticals, Gujarat government and industry chamber FICCI here.
“For another three months there is no shortage for undertaking production in the pharma sector. Our government has taken all initiatives to ensure that as far as our country is concerned the coronavirus should be stopped, and there is no hazard as far as this issue is concerned,” Gowda reiterated. Coronavirus is a challenge and ‘we should make all efforts that need to be taken’ added the minister.
India, the world’s largest maker of generic drugs, Tuesday restricted the export of common medicines such as paracetamol and 25 other pharmaceutical ingredients and drugs made from them, as it looks to prevent shortages amid concerns of the coronavirus outbreak turning into a pandemic.
Besides over-the-counter painkiller and fever reducer paracetamol, drugs restricted for exports included common antibiotics metronidazole, and those used to treat bacterial and other infections as well as Vitamin B1 and B12 ingredients.
A notification by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) had said the export of 26 active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and formulations would require licence.
Agencies