KATHMANDU: Nepali pharmaceutical companies say they have enough production of hydroxychloroquine in Nepal. The drug is currently in a clinical trial against COVID-19.
Anti-malarial drug Hydroxychloroquine is being seen as a ‘game-changer’ in the fight against COVID-19 and its demand has surged globally after it was found that the medicine benefiting COVID-19 patients.
According to the Department of Drug Administration, Nepali companies— Deurali Janta Pharmaceuticals, Qmed and Maruti Pharma—are currently producing the medicine in Nepal.
Maruti Pharma recently started the production while two other companies have been manufacturing the drugs for long.
DDA Managing Director Narayan Dhakal said that Nepal can produce the medicine in enough stock if the use of the drug benefits COVID-19 patients.
Deurali Janta Pharmaceuticals has already said that it can manufacture 400,000 tablets that will be enough for the treatment of 15,000 people.
Expert Advisor to the Ministry of Health and Population Dr. Khem Bahadur Karki said that the government is stocking over 400,000 hydroxychloroquine tablets.
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