Healthcare Experts Weigh In on Union Budget: Cancer Drug Exemptions Welcomed, Calls for Increased Spending Persist

Health experts have applauded the Indian government's exemption of three cancer drugs from Customs duty, stating it will lessen financial burdens for patients. However, they critiqued the budget's failure to address long-standing demands such as increasing GDP healthcare expenditure to 2.5 per cent. Industry leaders call for more comprehensive healthcare funding and support.

Health experts hailed on Tuesday the central government's move to exempt three more cancer drugs from Customs duty, highlighting the potential financial relief for patients. The exempted drugs include Trastuzumab deruxtecan, Osimertinib, and Durvalumab, essential for treating various types of cancers.

Dr Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, MD and CEO of Fortis Healthcare Limited, praised this measure as a significant step towards reducing the financial burden associated with cancer treatments. He also noted the proposed changes in the BCD for X-ray tubes and flat panel detectors that could benefit domestic manufacturers by cutting costs and promoting local sourcing.

Despite these positive steps, experts voiced concerns over the budget's lack of financial allocations to meet long-standing demands. Dr Shuchin Bajaj of Ujala Cygnus Group and Dr Girdhar Gyani of AHPI expressed disappointment that the budget did not significantly boost healthcare spending or infrastructure development. There were calls for increased funding for biotechnology, expanding digital infrastructure, new medical colleges, and enhanced support for digital health technologies.

(With inputs from agencies.)