NEW DELHI: To ensure smooth supply of anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine , the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) is developing an information technology-driven platform to monitor availability of the drug during the Covid-19 outbreak.The move comes in the wake of severe shortage of the drug at retail level because of disrupted supply and initial panic buying.The IT platform will enable stockists, distributors and retailers to update real-time information on the portal and help the government and companies coordinate supplies, an official said."All sellers of drugs are requested to register first in the platform to create master data, and then upload details. It is to ensure availability of these drugs to all needy people," a message from the drugs controller's office to those involved in the supply chain said. TOI has reviewed the message . Executives from the pharmaceutical industry as well as the retailers' association said the shortage was primarily because of panic buying which happened immediately after the government approved use of this drug for Covid-19.