India's top syringe maker asks PM Modi to lift factory shutdown order

Hindustan Syringes and Medical Devices (HMD) has shuttered its factories on the outskirts of New Delhi following the directive from a state pollution control board, triggering concerns of an acute shortage of syringes and needles in India just as its COVID-19 vaccination programme is in full swing. 'The closure of needles and syringes manufacturing factories will create disruption in the supply chain,' said Rajiv Nath, managing director of HMD, in a letter to Modi's office which was released to media.