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


Updated: July 11, 2025 10:10

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.

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