In a groundbreaking move, Union Budget 2025 has brought a wave of relief for patients across India by announcing that 36 life-saving drugs will be exempt from basic customs duty. This includes medications primarily used to treat cancer, rare diseases, and severe chronic conditions. The announcement by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman aims to improve access to essential treatments and lower the financial burden on patients and their families.

The exemption applies to a broad range of life-saving drugs, but notably focuses on those required for treating cancer, rare diseases, and chronic health conditions. This is a significant step in making critical healthcare treatments more affordable for those who need them most. It will also impact the cost of manufacturing these medicines, ultimately leading to lower prices for patients.

In addition to the duty-free exemption, six more medicines have been included in the budget with a 5% reduction in customs duty. This initiative is expected to provide further relief for patients who rely on these life-saving drugs, making them more accessible and affordable. The decision to reduce the customs duties on bulk drugs used in the production of these medicines is aimed at decreasing overall production costs and boosting the availability of medicines across the country.

The announcement of these duty exemptions and duty reductions is seen as a key policy shift, signaling the government's commitment to improving healthcare affordability and access in India. With healthcare costs continuing to rise globally, such policies are crucial in ensuring that people from all economic backgrounds can receive the necessary medical treatments.

This policy aligns with the government’s ongoing efforts to reduce the financial burden of healthcare on Indian families. By eliminating the customs duties on life-saving drugs, the government is acknowledging the high costs of medications and the importance of ensuring that no one is deprived of treatment due to financial constraints. This reform is expected to help millions of patients, particularly those battling cancer and rare diseases, who often face exorbitant medical bills due to the high cost of specialized drugs.

Moreover, the reduction in customs duties on bulk drugs will not only benefit patients but also pharmaceutical manufacturers in India, allowing them to produce these drugs more economically and thereby pass on the savings to consumers. The move is part of a broader initiative by the Indian government to boost the healthcare sector and reduce reliance on imported medicines, which are often subject to high taxes.

The Budget 2025 healthcare reform has been praised by healthcare professionals, patient advocacy groups, and the general public. The duty-free drugs are expected to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people with chronic conditions and terminal illnesses, who often struggle to afford the high costs of their treatments. The announcement has sparked discussions on how further policy changes can be made to address healthcare inequities and improve access to life-saving treatments in India.

By exempting these critical medicines from customs duties, the government is also aligning itself with global trends that emphasize the importance of affordable healthcare. Countries around the world are increasingly focused on ensuring that medications and medical treatments are accessible to all, regardless of their financial status.

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