In a significant move, the Central government has exempted customs duty on three critical cancer drugs, providing relief to countless cancer patients across the country. The drugs – Trastuzumab deruxtecan, Osimertinib, and Durvalumab – are used to treat various types of cancer, including breast, lung, and biliary tract cancers.
Oncologists have welcomed the decision, terming it a “welcome step” that will make life-saving drugs more affordable for patients. “The exemption of customs duty on three cancer medicines is a significant step forward,” said Jyotsna Govil, Chairperson of the Indian Cancer Society. Dr. Shyam Aggarwal, Chairman of the Department of Medical Oncology at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, added that the move will help bring down the cost of expensive cancer drugs.
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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also proposed exemptions in custom duties on X-ray tubes and flat panel detectors in her budget speech, aimed at promoting indigenous manufacturing of digital X-ray machines in India. The move has been hailed by healthcare experts, who believe it will improve access to essential health services, especially in Tier II and III cities and rural areas.
The exemption of customs duty on these life-saving drugs and medical equipment is expected to benefit countless patients and healthcare providers across the country.
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