US President Donald Trump on Saturday said that he has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to supply hydroxychloroquine, the anti-malaria drug, tablets that can be used to treat COVID-19 patients.
“After call today with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is giving serious consideration to releasing the hold it put on a US order for hydroxychloroquine,” Trump announced at the White House Coronavirus task force briefing that he requested PM Narendra Modi for more hydroxychloroquine tablets.
President Trump did not shy away from saying he too will take a tablet of hydroxychloroquine after announcing that he has requested PM Modi during his telephonic conversation earlier today to lift a hold on the US order of the medicine. “I may take it too, will have to talk to my doctors,” he added.
“India makes a lot of it. They need a lot too for their billion-plus people. The hydroxychloroquine, the anti-malaria drug will be released through the Strategic National Stockpile for treatment,” he said. “I said I would appreciate if they would release the amounts that we ordered” of hydroxychloroquine, he said.
The Indian government has put on hold the export of anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine and its formulations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Twitter, “Had an extensive telephone conversation with President @realDonaldTrump. We had a good discussion, and agreed to deploy the full strength of the India-US partnership to fight COVID-19.”
ALSO READ: COVID-19: Top 10 global developments this Sunday morning
PM Modi also informed about the telephonic conversation between him and Trump, saying, “Had an extensive telephone conversation with President Donald Trump. We had a good discussion, and agreed to deploy the full strength of the India-US partnership to fight COVID-19.”
Had an extensive telephone conversation with President @realDonaldTrump. We had a good discussion, and agreed to deploy the full strength of the India-US partnership to fight COVID-19.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 4, 2020
He conveyed deep condolences for the loss of lives in the United States and his prayers for the early recovery of those still suffering from the disease.
As on Sunday, the United States has at least 312,146 cases of coronavirus according to Johns Hopkins University’s tally. At least 8,499 people have died in the US from coronavirus.
There was a steep rise in the number of cases in the last 24 hours. At least 23,949 new cases were reported, and at least 1,023 new deaths in the US have been reported in the last 24 hours.
(With inputs from ANI)