Chloroquine was approved for export due to COVID-19

Five companies were permitted until the 25th

#iUnder the influence of COVID-19, the approval of Chloroquine for export used as a therapeutic agent has been followed.

 

It seems that domestic pharmaceutical companies are targeting overseas exports and making items due to the worldwide pandemic phenomenon.

 

According to the MFDS on the 25th, permission to Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine for export reached 12 items in five companies this year.

 

Starting with Korea Prime Pharm, on the 4th, CTC Bio, Korea United Pharm, Ahngook Pharm, and Unimed have obtained export licenses.

 

They seem to have been granted permission for the purpose of developing and exporting formulations by importing raw materials from overseas.

 

An industry official said, "The MFDS' export permits simply by the documentation." Countries that require Chloroquine will be licensed for export, and later approved by local countries.

 

" In Korea, 27 items have already been approved, so there is no problem with the supply and demand of Chloroquine.

 

However, companies believe that there is a high likelihood of a treatment gap in a sudden infectious disease abroad, especially in developing countries.

 

Chloroquine has been used since the early days of COVID-19 along with Kaletra ( Lopinavir + Ritonavir), an AIDS treatment, and is in high demand as it is encouraged in some countries.

 

Although this agent is used for the treatment and prevention of malaria, it is used as the primary treatment for COVID-19 in the medical field.

 

In Korea, the Central Clinical Committee recommends Chloroquine as a standard treatment through literature review, and thus Hydroxychloroquine is used.

 

However, there is a controversial situation about the actual effect.

 

Trump believes Hydroxychloroquine could be a "game-changer" against the coronavirus, there are reports that the death rate has increased.

 

On the other hand, other studies have shown that there are few side effects and there is an actual effect of preventing COVID-19.

 

Nevertheless, it is an analysis that demand from overseas countries is increasing.

 

PMG Pharm decided to export about 2 million dollars worth of Hydroxychloroquine to South America.

 

CTC Bio, which has been granted permission for export, said, "The global demand has surged, so there are a lot of needs in existing countries as well as in overseas customers." It is known that domestic pharmaceutical companies are considering exporting not only Chloroquine, but also generic for Kaletra.

 

Kaletra, in particular, has opened up opportunities for generic companies as Abbvie, the original developer, abandoned the patent.

 

It is said that some domestic companies are currently pursuing export licenses while importing raw materials from India and developing formulations.