India bans remdesivir exports as COVID-19 cases surge

Health ministry says ban to be in place until ‘situation improves’ as India sees the sixth record rise in seven days.

India has banned the export of antiviral drug remdesivir and its active pharmaceutical ingredients as demand rocketed amid a record surge in COVID-19 infections and led to shortages in many parts of the country. New daily infections surged to 152,879 on Sunday, the sixth record rise in seven days, overwhelming hospitals in some regions. India, known as the pharmacy of the world, has already stalled major exports of coronavirus vaccines. In addition to the remdesivir ban “till the situation improves”, the health ministry said in a statement that manufacturers had been asked to step up supplies.