The department of pharmaceuticals has asked the directorate general of foreign trade to issue orders restricting the export of 12 active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and formulations in the wake of novel coronavirus outbreak, according to an office memorandum.

A high-level committee formed by the department of pharmaceuticals to monitor the supply of raw materials for drugs from China has recommended restrictions on the export of these items.

The 12 APIs and formulations include antibiotics such as choramphenicol, neomycin, metronidazole and vitamins B1, B12, B6 along with progesterone.

China accounted for 67.56 per cent of India’s imports of bulk drugs and drug intermediates at $2,405.42 million in 2018-19.