Coronavirus: Dept of Pharma asks DGFT to restrict export of 12 drug ingredients, formulations
New Delhi: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 Chloramphenicol, 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 impose restrictions on the export of 12 APIs and formulations...till further orders," Deputy Secretary at Chemicals and Fertilisers Ministry M K Bhardwaj said in the letter to the DGFT.
China accounted for 67.56 per cent of India's total imports of bulk drugs and drug intermediates at USD 2,405.42 million in 2018-19.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday met the representatives of various sectors, including pharmaceuticals, textiles, chemicals, electronics and IT hardware, solar, auto, surgical equipments, and paints, to review the situation following the outbreak of the deadly virus in China.
She said the government will soon announce measures to deal with the impact of coronavirus outbreak on the domestic industry.
Describing pharma, chemical and solar equipment sectors as the worst affected, the finance minister said disruptions are visible in these segments due to delays in shipment.
She also said there were no reports of shortage of medicines or medical equipment.
According to official sources, Indian drugmakers have informed the high-level committee that they presently have stocks for the next two to three months.
There has been no supply of APIs from the neighbouring country for the last 20-25 days, sources said.
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ED raids Kolkata Police deputy commissioner, businessman in PMLA probe
Kolkata (PTI): The Enforcement Directorate on Sunday conducted raids at the premises of Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sinha Biswas and a local businessman as part of a money laundering probe against an alleged criminal and his linked syndicate in the poll-bound state, officials said.
Two premises of Biswas, including his residence in Ballygunge area and one location of the businessman named Joy Kamdar, Managing Director of a company named Sun Enterprise, have been raided under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Kamdar has been taken by the officials to the local ED office for questioning. Biswas, chief coordinator and nodal officer of the West Bengal and Kolkata Police welfare committee, was not present at his premises, they said.
The action is linked to a money laundering case against an alleged local criminal named Biswajit Podder alias Sona Pappu, who is booked in multiple cases on charges of attempted murder and extortion.
The federal probe agency had conducted the first round of searches in this case on April 1.
The ED had then seized cash of Rs 1.47 crore apart from gold jewellery and silver valued at Rs 67.64 lakh and a country-made revolver from some premises that were searched.
The probe stems from a Kolkata Police FIR against against Podder for his alleged involvement in rioting, attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy and Arms Act violations. The accused, including Podder, were engaged in organised criminal syndicate activities in the state of West Bengal and generated funds illegally by way of syndicate operations, the ED said in a statement on April 9.
Podder is also wanted by the police in a case of violence in Kankulia road near Golpark of Kolkata and is currently on the run.
The ED has issued summons to Podder but he has failed to join the investigation so far, according to the agency.
West Bengal will have a two phase poll on April 23 and April 29.
