Donald Trump says ‘retaliation’ possible if India turns down request for antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine

Team Suno Neta Wednesday 8th of April 2020 12:04 PM

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Donald Trump.

The US president, Donald Trump, on Monday, spoke of “retaliation” if India turned down his request to lift the hold on US orders of an antimalarial drug – hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). Trump touted the drug as “game changer” in the fight against the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, despite its untested efficacy.

During a White House briefing on the coronavirus pandemic, Trump, while replying to a question from a reporter, said, “So, I would be surprised if that were his (Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s) decision. He’d have to tell me that. I spoke to him Sunday morning, called him, and I said we’d appreciate your allowing our supply to come out. If he doesn’t allow it to come out, that would be okay, but of course there may be retaliation. Why wouldn’t there be?”

India banned the export of hydroxychloroquine over the weekend, as COVID-19 cases surged. As India is one of the major manufacturers of medicines in the world, its decision on March 3 to restrict the exports of 26 drugs and ingredients, which included paracetamol and antibiotics, sparked concerns of a global supply shortage.