Budget 2026: 17 cancer drugs become cheaper as customs duties are waived
Budget 2026: 17 cancer drugs become cheaper as customs duties are waived
India waives basic customs duty on 17 cancer drugs and seven rare-disease medicines, potentially lowering prices and boosting access to life-saving treatments.
India's Budget 2026 removes basic customs duty on imported medicines for personal use and food for special medical use, cutting duties that typically range from 5% to 11%. The move lowers the landed cost of 17 expensive cancer drugs and seven rare-disease medicines, potentially easing treatment costs for patients. The government also proposes strengthening the drug regulatory and clinical research ecosystem and creating a national network of 1,000 accredited clinical trial sites.
Experts say waiving duties on these high-cost therapies, including cancer drugs like Ribociclib and Venetoclax, will boost access for patients who often pay Rs 20,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh per month. Sharvil Patel of Zydus Lifesciences called the exemption a major relief and said it aligns with goals of accessibility and affordability. The policy also addresses rising healthcare costs and the need for patient-centric care, particularly in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities where specialized care is less available.
Beyond drug pricing, Budget 2026 aims to strengthen regulatory oversight and clinical research, helping India attract and conduct more trials. The Budget also states that advance rulings on customs matters will be binding on authorities for five years, up from three, providing greater certainty to manufacturers and patients.
If implemented effectively, the changes could widen access to life-saving medicines and reduce the financial strain on families navigating cancer care and rare disease management. Healthcare advocates and industry leaders welcomed the direction, though they urged steady execution and continued focus on affordability and supply chains.
