Europe's coronavirus export bans raise concern over insulin supplies

FILE PHOTO: Georgina holds her insulin medicine in London, Britain September 13, 2019. REUTERS/Simon Dawson

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Several European countries have banned the export of insulin in recent weeks, a move industry officials said was based on a misguided fear that the COVID-19 pandemic would cause shortages of a drug vital to millions of diabetes patients.

EU curbs on drug exports during the coronavirus emergency mostly cover medication used to treat COVID-19, including muscle relaxants, painkillers and hydroxychloroquine. The head of the EU executive has called on governments to lift such bans, warning they could precipitate dangerous shortages.