Apr 11, Colombo: India has cleared the first list of 13 countries for hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) which includes United States Spain, Germany, Bahrain, Brazil, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Maldives and Bangladesh, ANI reported citing sources.

According to the ANI’s report, India has sanctioned 1 million HCQ tablets for Sri Lanka in the second consignemnt.

The sources said the U.S. had asked for 4.8 million tablets of HCQ and India has sanctioned 3.582 million tablets. India has also sent nine metric tons of the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) to the US in line with its request.

Hydroxychloroquine is an anti-malarial drug that is not yet proven as a treatment for the COVID-19 although the U.S. President Donald Trump aggressively promotes its use for COVID-19 patients.

Among the 13 countries, Brazil and Canada are expected to get 5 million tablets of hydroxychloroquine in the second consignment. Brazil will receive 0.53 MT of API in the first consignment.

The sources said Bangladesh will get 2 million tablets of hydroxychloroquine, Nepal 1 million, Bhutan 200,000, Sri Lanka 1 million (in the second consignment), Afghanistan 500,000, and Maldives 200,000.

ANI’s report said Germany will also get 5 million tablets of HCQ in the second consignment and in the first consignment, it will receive 1.5 MT API.

The other countries to receive hydroxychloroquine include Seychelles and Dominican Republic.

The sources said India will be sending a total of 14 million tablets and 13.5 MT API.

MEA officials have said that several countries have made requests for HCQ and taking into view the domestic necessities and keeping a sufficient buffer for India’s own requirement, a decision was taken by a group of ministers to release some of the surplus medicine for export purposes.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allowing the export of HCQ. In a tweet he had also thanked India and the Indian people for the decision on HCQ, saying it will not be forgotten.