The Department of Pharmaceuticals has asked the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) to issue orders restricting export of 12 active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and formulations in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, according to an office memorandum.
The APIs and formulations include common antibiotics and vitamins.
A high-level committee formed by the Department of Pharmaceuticals under the chemicals and fertilisers ministry to monitor supply of raw materials for drugs from China has recommended restrictions on export of these items.
The 12 APIs and formulations include antibiotics such as Choramphenicol, Neomycin, Metronidazole and Vitamins B1, B12, B6 along with progesterone, among others.
"The Government of India is closely monitoring the supply of APIs/intermediates/Key starting materials (KSMs) which are imported from China and effect of the outbreak of novel coronavirus in China on their supply.
"The Committee after examining the situation has recommended to ...