Pharmaceutical lobby groups have urged the government to lift restrictions on export of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and formulations, saying they have enough stock and there will be no shortage of these formulations in India amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The government had put a restriction on export of several antibiotics, hormones and vitamins, anticipating shortage of these medicines as the coronavirus infection spreads globally.

The Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA), which represents the country’s biggest drug makers, and the Indian Drugs’ Manufacturer's Association (IDMA) have written to the government seeking withdrawal of that notification as, according to them, they have surplus to meet the global demand and such a restriction would adversely affect their image. “In case of any shortages developing unexpectedly, all production and sale of APIs and formulations will be restricted to domestic consumption only,” said the letter by IDMA. ET has accessed a copy of the letter.

According to the department of pharmaceuticals (DoP), it has asked an expert committee it had formed last month to review the stocks and inventory with the pharma firms. “We will review the situation in Hubei and the existing inventory and stocks available with these companies and then take an informed decision,” said a senior official."