The government on Monday relived the restrictions on the export of Remdesivir injection and its active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). The exports which were banned two months ago, have now been relived and would require a license.

“The export of injection Remdesivir and its API have been put under Restricted category with immediate effect. The export of Remdesivir Injection and API against the advance authorization will not require separate permission”, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a statement. Under an advance license, duty-free imports are bound to some export obligations. In April, the government had restricted the exports of the anti-viral drug amid a surge in the Covid-19 cases in the country.

India has waived customs duty on the drug and its API till October 31 and also exempted from customs duty the import of beta-cyclodextrin which is used in the manufacture of remdesivir. The duty on remdesivir was 10 per cent earlier but total import charges would go up to 16.5 per cent after integrated GST and a 1 per cent social welfare surcharge.