On Tuesday Government of India announced that it had rescinded it's ban on export of malaria drug hydroxychloroquine which is now being used as a possible treatment for COVID19 in countries such as US .

Ministry of external affair spokesperson Anurag Srivastav said , In view of the humanitarian aspect of the global pandemic . The Indian government has decided that it would license hydroxychloroquine in sufficient amounts to all the countries seeking for it.

In a notification on March 25 the government placed hydroxychloroquine on a restricted list and then put out a ban on any export of drug on April 4 . The latest decision came out on April 6 after a high voltage meeting , effectively overturns the previous notification.

The MEA indicated that pre-existing orders mainly to the European countries, Brazil and US would be fulfilled depending on the domestic demand and stock position , which would be continuously monitored .

According to the official more than two dozen countries have requested supply of the hydroxychloroquine in the past few days but Brazil and US had stressed that they had made advanced payment on their orders.

The MEA announcement came hours after US president Donald Trump said that India could invite retaliation if it withheld supply of hydroxychloroquine for which the other countries have already placed order.

The Union government of India said that it had assessed present stocks of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) have been freed for supply are sufficient for all possible contigencies.

Health minister joint secretary said, this drug is not recommended for use in general population in India and should not be taken without doctor's advice.