India Revokes Ban on Export of Hydroxychloroquine
Context :
Recently, India revoked its earlier ban on the export of malaria drug hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), which is being used to treat Covid-19.
Key Points :
- U.S. Pressure: The ban on HCQ was revoked by India after U.S. President said that India could invite “retaliation” if it withheld supplies of HCQ.
- Earlier, the government of India placed HCQ on a restricted items list, and later put a blanket ban on any export of the drug.
- India’s Stand: Revocation has been done in view of the humanitarian aspects of the pandemic.
- Neighbouring Countries: India has decided to licence paracetamol and HCQ in appropriate quantities to all its neighbouring countries who are dependent on its capabilities.
- It will also supply these essential drugs to some nations that have been particularly badly affected by the pandemic.
- Pre-existing Orders: The government will fulfill the pre-existing orders, mainly to the U.S., Brazil and European countries, as they have made advance payments on their orders.
- Domestic Demand: The orders will be fulfilled depending on the stock position and domestic demand for the drug, which would be continuously monitored.
- The government said that currently it has sufficient stock of the HCQ drug.
Hydroxy-chloroquine :
- Hydroxy-chloroquine is an oral drug used in the treatment of malaria and some autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
- Malaria is a disease caused by mosquito bite of female Anopheles and spreads through parasites.
- Autoimmune diseases are in which the body’s immune system attacks healthy cells.
- Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting many joints, including those in the hands and feet.
- Hydroxy-chloroquine against COVID-19:
- Recent studies show that the HCQ drug alone or in combination with azithromycin appears to reduce the virus quickly.
- Further, the study suggests that prophylaxis (treatment given to prevent disease) with hydroxy-chloroquine at approved doses could prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- Although the drug has some side effects, it is linked to instances of cardiac arrhythmia and liver damage. Wide use may handicap the people’s ability to fight the disease.
Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID)
Context :
So far, India has shared nine whole genome sequences of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) with the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID). All these have been shared by the Pune-based National Institute of Virology.
Background :
Early in March, India became the fifth country in the world to sequence the genome of the novel Coronavirus, or Covid-19, and share its data with the international community.
What is genomic sequencing?
Genomic sequencing is a technique that allows us to read and interpret genetic information found within DNA or RNA.
Why is it important to understand the genomic sequence of COVID-19?
The SARS-CoV2 genome, as it is formally known, has about 30,000 base pairs, somewhat like a long string with 30,000 places where each one of these occupy one of four chemicals called nucleotides.
This long string, with its unique combination of nucleotides, is what uniquely identifies the virus and is called its genomic sequence. A look at virus genome sequences from patient samples that test positive for COVID-19 helps researchers to understand how the virus is evolving as it spreads. So far, there are over 1,000 COVID-19 genomes that have been published worldwide.
Therefore, sequencing is necessary because:
- It helps track the transmission route of the virus globally.
- It can determine how quickly the virus is adapting as it spreads.
- It identifies targets to therapies.
- It is required to understand the role of co-infection.
What is GISAID?
It is a public platform started by the WHO in 2008 for countries to share genome sequences.
- Created as an alternative to the public domain sharing model, GISAID’s sharing mechanism took into account the concerns of Member States by providing a publicly accessible database designed by scientist for scientist, to improve the sharing of influenza data.
- In 2010 the Federal Republic of Germany became the official host of the GISAID platform.
- In 2013 the European Commission recognized GISAID as a research organization and partner in the PREDEMICS consortium, a project on the Preparedness, Prediction and the Prevention of Emerging Zoonotic Viruses with Pandemic Potential using multidisciplinary approaches.
GISAID’s database access agreement ensures that contributors of genetic sequence data do not forfeit their intellectual property rights to the data.
India Moved to WTO on US Tariffs
Context :
Under the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO’s) safeguard agreement, India has sought consultations with the US.
The consultation has been sought on American authorities’ decision to increase import duties on derivatives of steel and aluminium products.
Key Points :
WTO’s Safeguard Agreement
- The Agreement on Safeguards (“SG Agreement”) sets forth the rules for application of safeguard measures pursuant to Article XIX of General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994.
- Safeguard measures are defined as “emergency” actions with respect to increased imports of particular products, where such imports have caused or threaten to cause serious injury to the importing Member’s domestic industry.
- As per a provision of the Agreement on Safeguards, a WTO member country proposing to apply a safeguard measures shall provide adequate opportunity for prior consultations with those members having a substantial interest as exporters of the product concerned.
- This is with a view to exchanging views on the measure.
- India’s Stand
- India considers this measure of the US to be a safeguard measure within a provision of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994, and the Agreement on Safeguards.
- Therefore, India has sought consultations with the US, under the WTO’s safeguard agreement.
- India has sought to exercise its right to consult on the specifics of the measures and its right to determine appropriate trade compensation with the US.
- According to the WTO:
- India reserves the right to raise additional issues and make further factual and legal arguments.
- This should be without prejudice to any other remedies provided for under the understanding of rules and procedures governing the settlement of disputes and the covered agreements during the course of consultations.
- India looks forward to receiving a prompt reply to its request from the US for a mutually convenient date and venue for the consultations.
Healthcare Institutions Face Cyber Threats
Context :
The International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) has warned member countries that cybercriminals are attempting to target major hospitals and other institutions on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19 with ransomware.
- The organisation also talked about recent changes in the pattern of crime.
Key Points :
- In an alert sent to 194 nations, including India, Interpol said that the hospitals and institutions had become targets of ransomware attacks.
- Interpol’s Cybercrime Threat Response Team had detected an increase in the number of attempted ransomware attacks against key organisations and infrastructure engaged in the virus response.
- Cybercriminals are using ransomware to hold hospitals and medical services digitally hostage, preventing them from accessing vital files and systems until a ransom is paid.
- The attacks were designed to lock these institutions out of their critical systems in an attempt to extort payments.
- Locking hospitals out of their critical systems
- Will delay the swift medical response required during these unprecedented times.
- it could also directly lead to deaths.
- The ransomware appears to be spreading primarily via e-mails, often falsely claiming to contain information or advice regarding the coronavirus from a government agency, which encourages the recipient to click on an infected link or attachment.
- Prevention and Mitigation efforts are crucial to stopping the attacks.
- Interpol continues to stand by its member countries and provide any assistance necessary to ensure vital healthcare systems remain untouched and the criminals targeting them held accountable.
- Interpol also issued a Purple Notice to seek or provide information on modus operandi, objects, devices and concealment methods used by criminals.
- Steps Taken by the Government
- Alerts received by the Government of India on the threat of ransomware/malware attacks have been communicated to the concerned departments.
- Institutions and individuals have been appealed not to open any mail or link on coronavirus data or home remedies unless it is from a trusted source like a government agency.
- They were also cautioned about a possibility of e-mail spoofing, where a suspect operating from a remote location would send a mail that would appear as if it came from a known person.