site.btaExport Banned of Quinine-based Drugs

March 20 (BTA) - Health Minister Kiril Ananiev has ordered a ban on the export of quinine-based medicines until further notice, Ananiev's Ministry said in a press release Friday.

The aim is to meet the domestic demand of such medicines in the coronavirus epidemic.

The ban was introduced after a meeting of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, Health Minister Kiril Ananiev, national invasive cardiology consultant Prof. Ivo Petrov and members of the national coronavirus task force. Prof. Petrov briefed the Prime Minister about the positive effects of the anti-malaria drug choloroquine in the treatment of patients infected with COVID-19 and cited Chinese and French studies which suggest that the drug suppresses the coronavirus symptoms and speeds up recovery.

Prime Minister Borissov ordered Health Minister Kiril Ananiev to take all steps and supply enough quinine-based drugs.

Prime Minister Borissov is in touch with his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang in connection with the possibilities for the import of chloroquine from China. RI/ZH,PP





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