Budget 2024-25: Customs duty exemption on key cancer drugs to reduce cost


Team Udayavani, Jul 23, 2024, 7:41 PM IST

Representative image

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman outlined nine priorities for a developed India during her budget speech on Tuesday. Although health was not directly among these priorities, a notable feature in the health sector was the focus on improving access to medicines, especially for cancer treatment.

A significant announcement was the exemption of three key cancer drugs—Trastuzumab Deruxtecan, Osimertinib, and Durvalumab—from customs duties, leading to a substantial reduction in their prices. This measure is crucial in making cancer therapies more affordable for a broader segment of the population, addressing the often high costs of these treatments.

In 2023, cancer was responsible for approximately 9.6 to 10 million deaths worldwide, highlighting the necessity of affordable treatment options.

Dr. Rahul Kanaka, Consultant – Surgical Oncology at Manipal Hospital (Yeshwanthpur, Sarjapur Road, and Hebbal), said that the Indian government’s decision to exempt these cancer drugs from customs duties is expected to reduce treatment costs and improve accessibility to cancer care in India, providing much-needed relief to patients and their families.

According to the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) 2020, India reported around 1.3 million new cancer cases and approximately 850,000 cancer-related deaths annually. Among Indian women, breast cancer is the most common, while among men, oral cancer is the most prevalent, followed by lung and stomach cancers.

Dr. Kanaka pointed out that survival rates for many cancers in India are lower compared to developed countries, primarily due to late diagnosis, limited access to quality healthcare, and the unaffordability of treatments. Cancer imposes a significant economic burden on individuals and the healthcare system, with treatment costs often being prohibitive, particularly for those without health insurance.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

Jasprit Bumrah, Virat Kohli my favourite cricketers: Ex-CJI D Y Chandrachud

Veg diet, alcohol abstinence, behaviour training: UP cops prep for ‘pleasant’ Maha Kumbh

Senior BJP leaders meet Fadnavis after Mahayuti’s landslide win

Vijayapura: One-year-old child abducted from district hosp

‘Mrs’ a beautiful blend of my two passions acting and dancing: Sanya Malhotra

India reach 359-5 at tea against Australia on day 3 of opening Test

Kerala bypolls results: People reject anti-incumbency wave campaign by political opponents, says CPI

Related Articles More

Sambhal violence orchestrated by BJP, govt to divert attention from poll rigging: Akhilesh

Cloth merchant booked for cheating raw material supplier of Rs 30 lakh

Congress to introspect Chelakkara bypoll debacle

CRPF sets up three new forward bases in Chhattisgarh’s hardcore Naxal areas

Jasprit Bumrah, Virat Kohli my favourite cricketers: Ex-CJI D Y Chandrachud

MUST WATCH

Prakash Belawadi

Naxal Leader Vikram Gowda

Christmas Cake Fruit Mixing

DK Shivakumar

Rose Cultivation


Latest Additions

Sambhal violence orchestrated by BJP, govt to divert attention from poll rigging: Akhilesh

Cloth merchant booked for cheating raw material supplier of Rs 30 lakh

Congress to introspect Chelakkara bypoll debacle

Kapil Dev praises Bumrah for leading team from the front

CRPF sets up three new forward bases in Chhattisgarh’s hardcore Naxal areas

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.