Demagogue and narcissistic con man Donald "Moron Vector" Trump has been touting the unproven and largely anecdotal "benefits" of the malaria treatment hydroxychloroquine, despite warnings from his medical advisors that broad use could cause serious side effects and even death. He's desperately looking for a quick fix, whether it works or not, so that he can claim a "cure" and prematurely lift public health restrictions and try to revive the economy, and therefore his reelection hopes.
Trump's best laid plans for a magic political cure hit a big snag today when the government of India banned the export of that drug which it manufactures in great quantities. India supplies 47% of the U.S. demand for hydroxychloroquine and related forms, but India itself is in the midst of a lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It's stocking up on the drug in the event it proves therapeutic for the virus. And it's not just India that's been acting on Trump's desperate boosterism:
"India’s export ban on the drug is aimed at ensuring it has enough supply for domestic use after the American president’s endorsement sparked global stockpiling of the medication. As the coronavirus pandemic widens globally, countries competing for supplies have enacted export bans or restrictions on goods from rice in Vietnam to face masks in Germany.The Very Stable Genius' mad trade skilz on display once again! All we need now is to read that Rethuglican politicians (like ghoulish Rudy Colludey) have been investing in the makers of hydroxychloroquine, following Trump's reckless endorsement of it.
While Trump said that the U.S. has secured 29 million choloroquine or hydroxychloroquine pills for its medical stockpile and American drugmakers like Mylan NV have re-started production of the tablets to meet U.S. needs, the India ban will likely push prices of the medication up in the short-term, while limiting available supply in the long-term." (our emphasis)
(photo: Him not happy. Get cheeburger.)
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