Health Budget 2024: To provide relief to cancer patients, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposes to completely waive customs duties on three drugs.
Budget 2024: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced significant relief for cancer patients in the Union Budget 2024-25. During her presentation in Parliament on Tuesday, she revealed that three cancer treatment drugs would be exempted from basic customs duty, making these crucial medicines more affordable for patients. In her budget speech, Sitharaman said, “To provide relief to cancer patients, I propose to completely exempt three more drugs from customs duty. I also propose changes in the Code of Conduct for X-ray tubes and flat panel detectors for use in medical X-ray machines…”
This move is part of a broader effort by the government to improve the affordability and accessibility of healthcare. By waiving customs duties on these cancer drugs, the government aims to reduce the financial burden on patients and their families, thereby ensuring that life-saving treatments are accessible to more people.
In addition to the exemption for cancer drugs, the Finance Minister also outlined modifications to the basic customs duty (BCD) on X-ray tubes and flat panel detectors used in medical X-ray machines. These changes are part of the Phased Manufacturing Programme, which seeks to boost domestic production capacity and reduce dependence on imported medical equipment.
Adjustments in customs duties on X-ray tubes and flat panel detectors are expected to encourage local manufacturing and innovation in the medical sector. By promoting domestic production, the government aims to create jobs, improve technological capabilities and reduce the overall cost of medical equipment in India.
These initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to improving the healthcare system in India. By making essential medicines and medical equipment more affordable, the government hopes to improve the quality of care available to patients and ensure that advanced medical treatments are accessible to a wider segment of the population.
