BJP's Manjunath urges Centre to reduce custom duty on all cancer drugs

New Delhi: Bangalore Rural Lok Sabha BJP member C N Manjunath has urged the Centre to extend customs duty exemption to the remaining immunotherapy drugs as well, thereby making advanced cancer treatment more affordable.

Manjunath, who met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday, said that he conveyed his appreciation to the Union government for its proactive decision to exempt 33 life-saving medicines from GST, a move that has brought significant relief to economically weaker sections of society.

During the meeting, Manjunath highlighted that only a limited number of cancer-related drugs are currently exempted from customs duty, while nearly 40 immunotherapy drugs used in treating various types of cancers are still not covered under the exemption.

Since most of these medicines are imported, the overall cost of cancer treatment continues to remain high for patients, a statement said.

Extending customs duty exemption to the remaining immunotherapy drugs as well, thereby making advanced cancer treatment more affordable, accessible, and less burdensome for patients and their families, he said in his memorandum.