BRITAIN has bought nearly three million packs of paracetamol from India after stockpilers left a shortage in supermarkets.

The Government ordered the huge amount - enough to fill ten shipping containers - from US pharmaceutical company Perrigo.

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1 The British Government have ordered three million packs of paracetamol from India after panic-buyers strip shop shelves Credit: Alamy

India, where the drugs are made, has approved the export of 2,800,000 packets which will be distributed to leading UK supermarkets and retailers.

They are being shipped over in ten 40ft containers.

International Trade Secretary, Liz Truss MP said: “Coronavirus is the largest threat we have all faced in decades, so it is imperative that we work together to continue global trade and keep supply chains open.

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“This will mean nearly 3 million more packets of paracetamol on British supermarket shelves.

“I’d like to extend a big thank you to officials both in the UK and India who worked hard on this agreement and I look forward to working with India and other countries soon to ensure we beat Covid-19”.

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