MP Calls for Tax Exemption on Cancer Therapy Drugs and Equipment

Fast Summary

• Bengaluru Rural MP and cardiologist Dr. C.N. Manjunath has requested customs duty exemption for imported immunotherapy drugs and radiotherapy equipment, crucial in advanced cancer treatment.
• The request was submitted to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during a meeting in Delhi on Wednesday.
• Immunotherapy treatments currently cost between ₹20 lakh to ₹50 lakh per patient per treatment cycle due to their import-dependent nature.
• Dr. Manjunath highlighted the growing prevalence of cancer in India, attributing it partly to lifestyle changes and food adulteration, while stressing the high economic burden of treatment.
• Existing tax exemptions cover most chemotherapy drugs but exclude immunotherapy drugs and radiotherapy equipment critical for extensive cancer care.
• he argued that the exemption would make advanced cancer treatments more accessible for economically weaker sections, adding that the Finance Minister responded positively.

Indian Opinion Analysis
Dr. C.N. Manjunath’s proposal to exempt customs duty on imported immunotherapy drugs and radiotherapy equipment underscores a pressing issue within India’s healthcare system-the affordability of advanced cancer treatments amidst rising disease prevalence.While efforts like tax relief on chemotherapy drugs showcase prior goverment commitment toward reducing costs, expanding such benefits to newer technologies like immunotherapies could be transformative for impoverished patients facing financial barriers.

The move also emphasizes India’s need for policy adjustments reflecting advancements in medical science-a shift toward supporting cutting-edge therapies rather than focusing solely on traditional methods like chemotherapy-which may improve survival rates substantially when combined with newer modalities like immunotherapies.

any positive step taken by policymakers can foster easier access not just among less privileged populations but may catalyze broader discussions around domestic manufacturing incentives or research collaborations targeting these costly technologies long-term-potentially bringing benefits beyond immediate economic relief.

Read more at: Indian Opinion News Platform.