Cancer Care Breakthrough: India Eyes Duty Waiver to Slash Drug Costs

Image Source : The Times Of India

India is poised to make lifesaving cancer treatments significantly more affordable as a government panel recommends sweeping customs duty exemptions on highimpact imported drugs. The move could reshape access to therapies for millions battling cancer and rare diseases.

Key Highlights

Blockbuster cancer drugs like pembrolizumab (Keytruda), osimertinib (Tagrisso), and trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu) may be fully exempted from customs duty.
These drugs, used to treat lung and breast cancers, often cost lakhs per dose and are currently inaccessible to many due to high import costs.
The proposal also includes transplant medicines, critical care drugs, and advanced diagnostic kits with no domestic alternatives.

Rare Disease Therapies

Customs duty waivers may extend to ultraexpensive treatments for spinal muscular atrophy, cystic fibrosis, Gaucher disease, and other hereditary enzyme deficiencies.
Notable therapies include Zolgensma, Spinraza, Evrysdi, Cerezyme, and Takhzyro, which can cost several crores per course.

Policy Framework

The interdepartmental committee, formed in August 2024, is led by Joint Drug Controller R. Chandrashekar and includes representatives from ICMR, DGHS, and the Department of Pharmaceuticals.
A second category of essential but widely available drugs may see reduced import duty of 5 percent, including hydroxyurea and Enoxaparin.

Impact Outlook

The exemptions could lower prices by 10–20 percent, improving access and treatment outcomes.
Experts urge further expansion to include all oncology drugs and call for GST relief to maximize affordability.

Sources: Firstpost, Business Today, Telegraph India, Times of India, Moneycontrol.