There is good news for patients suffering from diseases like cancer and HIV. Very soon, the burden of expensive medicines on them may be reduced to some extent. Yes, India may soon see a reduction in the cost of treatment of serious diseases like HIV, cancer, transplant medicine and hematology. In fact, a government panel has recommended exemption in customs duty on about 200 medicines. This will reduce the cost of treatment. To provide relief to patients suffering from cancer and other chronic diseases, an inter-departmental committee formed by the central government has recommended exemption and concessions in customs duty on high-impact medical imports. The report accessed by News18 recommends complete customs duty exemption on several global blockbuster cancer drugs like Pembrolizumab (brand Keytruda), Osimertinib (brand Tagrisso), and Trastuzumab Derxtecan (brand Enhertu). These drugs are widely used in the treatment of lung, breast and other aggressive cancers. These medicines have become unaffordable for many people due to high import duties. As these medicines cost lakhs per dose. The panel was constituted by the Drug Controller General of India in August 2024. The panel is headed by Joint Drug Controller R Chandrasekhar. It comprises members from the Indian Council of Medical Research, Department of Pharmaceuticals and Directorate General of Health Services. The panel aims to make life-saving treatments for cancer, rare diseases, transplants and advanced diagnostics significantly more affordable for Indian patients. Apart from cancer medicines, the recommendations also cover several other important medicines. These include transplant medicines, critical care medicines and advanced diagnostic kits, which rely on imported inputs or have no equivalent in the domestic market. A 5% customs duty has been recommended for Category II medicines โ which are essential but more widely available. The list includes hydroxyurea, which treats both cancer and sickle cell anemia. Another folk-goods drug on the list is low molecular weight heparin, sold under the brand name enoxaparin, which is used to treat and prevent blood clots and deep vein thrombosis. The list recommending a 5% customs duty includes 74 drugs, while the list recommending full exemption includes 69 drugs. A separate list for drugs for rare diseases has included 56 drug names for customs duty exemption.
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