Union Budget 2024: Cancer Drug Duty Exemptions Lauded by Health Experts

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's 2024 budget exempts customs duty on three cancer drugs, making them more affordable. Health experts like WHO's Dr Roderico H Ofrin and industry leaders commend this move, highlighting its impact on public health and the cancer treatment affordability in India.

By Shalini Bhardwaj

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday unveiled the 2024 Union budget, which includes a crucial exemption on customs duty for three cancer treatment drugs, aimed at enhancing affordability for patients.

Dr. Roderico H Ofrin, the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to India, praised the government's decision, stating, "The significant boost in fund allocation for health, including AYUSH, underscores the government's commitment to health promotion, disease elimination, and strengthening public healthcare services." Ofrin elaborated that the customs duty exemptions on these drugs reflect a concentrated effort to make life-saving treatments more accessible.

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Chairperson of Biocon Limited and Biocon Biologics, echoed similar sentiments. "The removal of customs duty on three cancer drugs will provide much-needed relief to cancer patients. However, the government should also consider GST exemption for all cancer drugs to further reduce costs," Shaw noted.

Dr. (Prof.) Chintamani, Chairman of Surgical Oncology at Sir Gangaram Hospital, welcomed the exemption, emphasizing its importance given the high costs associated with anti-cancer treatments. "Expensive chemotherapy, state-of-the-art surgery, and advanced radiation methods need to be affordable. Exempting duty on drugs like Deruxtecan and Osimertinib makes them more accessible for patients," he explained.

Highlighting the impact, Chintamani added, "Making drugs like Durvalumab cheaper will benefit patients with lung and biliary tract cancer. Overall, this is a commendable move toward making life-saving treatments more affordable." Sudarshan Jain, Secretary General of the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance, also praised the budget's focus on bolstering the pharmaceutical industry and meeting generics demand globally.

The 2024 Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Sitharaman outlines nine key priorities aimed at spurring economic growth and generating opportunities. This marks her seventh consecutive budget presentation for the Modi 3.0 government during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, which runs from July 22 to August 12.