March 30 (SeeNews) - Serbian drug maker Galenika may start producing the anti-malarial drug chloroquine to be used in the experimental treatment of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as recommended by the Chinese, South Korean and Italian health authorities, President Aleksandar Vucic said.
"I have sent a letter to Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro [asking him] for the supply of 150 kg of raw material for the production to our Galenika, so that we could start the production of chloroquine," Vucic said in a video file posted on the website of Serbian private broadcaster TV Prva on Sunday.
Serbia has received a first positive response from Brazil and Galenika may start the production of chloroquine within ten days after receiving the first shipments, Vucic said.
Serbia is currently importing chloroquine from multuple countries, he added.
In late January, Chinese medical researchers stated that research into the inhibitory effects of chloroquine on COVID-19 seemed to show fairly good results. Chloroquine has been recommended by Chinese, South Korean and Italian health authorities for the experimental treatment of COVID-19, though contraindications for people with heart disease or diabetes have been noted.
In November 2017, Luxembourg-based company Aelius, a company affiliated to Brazilian pharma group EMS, paid to the Serbian government the 16 million euro ($17.7 million) it had offered for the purchase of the state-owned 93.7% stake in Galenika.
($ = 0.9037 euro)