Exemption of customs duties on three additional cancer medications essential for treating prevalent types like lung, liver, and endometrial cancers and Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on X-ray tubes and flat panel detectors used in medical X-ray machines under the Phased Manufacturing Programme to “bolster domestic production capacity” were the key highlights of the Budget 2024 announced by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for the Health sector.
Overall, the Union health ministry has been allocated Rs 90,958.63 crore in the 2024-2025 budget, an increase of 12.96 per cent over the Rs 80,517.62 crore 2023-24 revised estimates.
Addressing the Budget speech here, Sitharaman said, “To provide relief to cancer patients, I propose to fully exempt three more medicines from customs duties. I also propose changes in the BCD on x-ray tubes & flat panel detectors for use in medical x-ray machines…”
Given the high expense of cancer treatment, which often makes them inaccessible to many, this exemption of custom duty on the additional cancer drugs is a crucial step. The three cancer drugs exempted from customs duty are Trastuzumab Deruxtecan, Osimertinib and Durvalumab.
Welcoming the move, DS Negi, CEO, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre called it a significant step towards making essential cancer treatments more accessible and affordable for patients across the country.
“The high cost of cancer medication has been a major barrier for many patients, and this exemption will undoubtedly provide much-needed financial relief to those battling the disease.”
Similarly, Dr Shyam Aggarwal, Chairman, Medical Oncology at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, was of the view that slashing the custom duty on medical devices in the cancer sector will lead to “spurring of indigenous manufacturing of digital X-ray machines in India.”
“The reduction in GST and Import Duty on APIs will help in stabilising the Pharma prices in the country, boost the domestic manufacturing and make the medicines available for the common people at lower prices. This is in alignment with the Government’s mandate of providing accessible health for all,” said Dr Pradeep Multani, Former President, PHDCCI and Chairman, Multani Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
According to the budget details, out of the Rs 90,958.63 crore, Rs 87,656.90 crore has been allocated to the Department of Health and Family Welfare and Rs 3,301.73 crore to the Department of Health Research. Among the centrally sponsored schemes, the budget allocation for the National Health Mission has been increased from Rs 31,550.87 crore in 2023-24 to Rs 36,000 crore in 2024-25 and for the Pradhan Mantri Jan ArogyaYojna (PM-JAY) from Rs 6,800 crore to Rs 7,300 crore. For the National Tele Mental Health Programme, the budget allocation has been increased from Rs 65 crore to Rs 90 crore.
