Trump phones Modi seeking anti-malaria drug for Covid-19 treatment

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump phoned India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday to request release of the anti-malaria drug hydrochloroquine that he claimed the US had ordered and which has been held up following New Delhi banning its export. Trump has been insistent that the drug could be effective against coronavirus although there is not sufficient scientific evidence yet to back his assertion.

“They make large amounts of hydroxychloroquone…very large amounts frankly. They had a hold (on its exports) …they have1.5 billion people. I said I would appreciate it if they release the amounts we had ordered. They are giving it serious consideration,” Trump said at his White House briefing on the pandemic, without specifying when and how much and from whom the US had ordered.

The US President has been relentlessly espousing the drug although it is not yet approved by the U.S Food and Drug Admin