The Central Government of India has recently announced a customs duty waiver on all drugs and food for special medical purposes imported for personal use for the treatment of rare diseases listed under the National Policy for Rare Diseases 2021. This is a significant move that is expected to provide relief to patients suffering from rare diseases, as the cost of treatment for these conditions can be exorbitant. The waiver from basic customs duty, which is generally 10%, will result in substantial cost savings for individuals requiring such treatments.

 

The cost of treating rare diseases can be a major burden for patients and their families, with some treatments costing upwards of ₹1 crore per year. This waiver is a significant step towards making these treatments more accessible to patients in need. To avail of this exemption, the individual importer will need to produce a certificate from the Central or State Director Health Services or District Medical Officer/Civil Surgeon of the district.

 

In addition to this, the Central Government has also fully exempted Pembrolizumab (Keytruda), a drug used in the treatment of various cancers, from basic customs duty. This is a major development as the cost of cancer treatment can be overwhelming for patients and their families. This waiver is expected to provide much-needed relief to cancer patients who require this drug for their treatment.

 

This move by the Indian Government is expected to encourage more people to seek medical help for rare diseases and cancer, as the cost of treatment will be significantly lower. This will help ensure that people suffering from these conditions get the care and treatment they need. The waiver of customs duty is a significant step towards making healthcare more accessible and affordable for all. Reference source: TH

 

UPSC Main Exam Question

 

Discuss the recent decision of the Central Government to waive basic customs duty on drugs and food for special medical purposes imported for personal use for the treatment of rare diseases listed under the National Policy for Rare Diseases 2021. How will this decision benefit patients suffering from rare diseases in India?

 

Answer: The recent decision of the Central Government to waive basic customs duty on drugs and food for special medical purposes imported for personal use for the treatment of rare diseases listed under the National Policy for Rare Diseases 2021 is a significant step towards providing much-needed relief to patients suffering from these diseases. The waiver, which typically stands at 10%, is expected to result in substantial cost savings for individuals requiring such treatments, especially since the drugs required for their treatment are often expensive and need to be imported.

 

For a child weighing 10 kg, the annual cost of treatment for some rare diseases may vary from ₹10 lakh to more than ₹1 crore per year, with the treatment being lifelong and the drug dose and cost increasing with age and weight. In order to avail this exemption, the individual importer will need to produce a certificate from Central or State Director Health Services or District Medical Officer/Civil Surgeon of the district. Additionally, the Central Government has also fully exempted Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) used in the treatment of various cancers from basic customs duty.

 

This decision is expected to benefit patients suffering from rare diseases in India in multiple ways. Firstly, it will help reduce the financial burden associated with the treatment of these diseases, making it more affordable for patients to access the required treatment. Secondly, it is expected to encourage more people to seek medical help for such conditions, as the cost of treatment will be significantly lower. This will help ensure that people suffering from rare diseases get the care and treatment they need.

 

Furthermore, the decision to exempt Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) used in the treatment of various cancers from basic customs duty is also significant, as it will help reduce the cost of cancer treatment for patients. Overall, the waiver of basic customs duty on drugs and food for special medical purposes imported for personal use for the treatment of rare diseases listed under the National Policy for Rare Diseases 2021 is a positive step towards improving access to healthcare for patients suffering from rare diseases in India.