Israel to send 50 respirators to Cyprus in exchange for chloroquine

The Republic of Cyprus will be sending a quantity of chloroquine to Israel in the next few days, with Israel to reciprocate by sending 50 respirators to the island.
 
In a written statement, Government Spokesman Kyriakos Koushos said that President Nicos Anastasiades on Friday spoke on the phone with his Israeli counterpart Reuven Rivlin, with whom he discussed the current COVID19 pandemic.
 
The Spokesman said that Rivlin responded positively to Cyprus’ request for 50 respirators, with Anastasiades agreeing to send a quantity of chloroquine to the neighbouring country.

Chloroquine, a cheap drug widely available in Cyprus, is currently being evaluated by a committee of Cyprus scientists for its effectiveness against coronavirus.

The drug, currently being used in China to treat coronavirus patients, may be produced by the Cyprus pharmaceutical company Remedica Ltd if proven promising in the battle against the pandemic.