News:Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) removed the export restrictions on 24 active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and formulations. These include Vitamins B6, B1, B12, Neomycin, Erythromycin among others.
Facts:
- Background: Amid COVID-19 pandemic, the government had earlier restricted exports of 26 bulk drugs and their formulations to curb shortages in India.
Additional Facts:
Directorate General of Foreign Trade
- It is an attached office of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and is headed by the Director -General of Foreign Trade.
- It is responsible for implementing the Foreign Trade Policy with the main objective of promoting India’s exports.
Bulk Drugs: The active chemical substances in powder form, the main ingredient in pharmaceuticals – chemicals having therapeutic value, used for the production of pharmaceutical formulations.
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API): It is the part of any drug that produces the intended effects
