India restricts drug exports, fueling shortage fears

India has imposed export restrictions on drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), including paracetamol, amid fears over COVID-19-related shortages.

The country is one of the world’s most important suppliers of generic drugs and APIs, and health authorities in the US have already expressed concern over the impact the disease could have on global supplies.

The decision to limit Indian exports came from the country’s commerce and industry department yesterday, March 3.

As well as paracetamol, the drugs and APIs under restriction include tinidazole, metronidazole, acyclovir, and vitamins B1, B6 and B12.

The order was signed by director general of foreign trade Amit Yadav.

Last week, French drugmaker Sanofi announced that it was combining six locations across Europe to create what it called the world’s second-biggest API manufacturer.

According to Sanofi, the new company will help reduce the reliance on India and China for essential drug supplies.

The Chemical Pharmaceutical Association’s 2019 industry report on API market trends estimates that 60% of global production in volume is located in India and China.

Last week, US Food and Drug Administration commissioner Stephen Hahn confirmed that one unnamed human drug had been added to the drug shortages list due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Hahn said the drug regulator was “keenly aware that the outbreak will likely affect the medical product supply chain, including potential disruptions to suppliers [and] shortages of critical medical products in the US”.

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