The Central government has asked companies to lower the prices of three anti-cancer drugs to pass on the benefits of customs duty exemptions and reductions in GST to consumers.
In keeping with its commitment to making medications affordable, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority has issued an office memorandum directing the relevant manufacturers to reduce the MRP on three anti-cancer drugs: Trastuzumab, Osimertinib and Durvalumab.
The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers said in a statement that this is in accordance with the announcement made in the Union Budget for the year 2024–25 exempting these three anti-cancer drugs from customs duty.
“Accordingly, there should be a reduction in MRP of these drugs in the market and the benefits of reduced taxes and duties should be passed on to the consumers,” the ministry said.
In July this year, the Ministry of Finance’s Department of Revenue reduced the customs duty on the three drugs to nil.
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