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

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.