Export curbs on Covid diagnostic kits revoked

The government has decided to lift the export restrictions on RT-PCR kits, RNA extraction kits, VTM and rapid antigen test kits, all of which are crucial for Covid-19 testing.At a meeting last week, one of the empowered groups on Covid-19 management recommended that export restrictions be lifted from Covid-19 diagnostic kits and free export of these products be allowed till further intimation. In a notification issued last week, the department of health research under the ministry of health said the export restrictions are being revoked and RT-PCR kits, RNA extraction kits, VTMs and RAT kits will be allowed for export. "If required the restrictions may be reinforced," it said. In August, India had restricted export of rapid antigen test kits with the aim of increasing their availability in the country for Covid-19 testing. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade amended the export policy by putting them under restricted category with immediate effect.

from Economic Times https://ift.tt/3Fyab7O