The Central Government has given full exemption from customs duty to all drugs and food items imported for special medical purpose for personal use in connection with the treatment of rare diseases. This exemption will come into effect from April 1.
The government has also exempted pembrolizumab (Ketruda), used in the treatment of various types of cancer, from basic customs duty.
Drugs/drugs generally attract a basic customs duty of 10 per cent, while certain categories of life-saving drugs/vaccines attract a concessional rate of five per cent or nil customs duty.
In a statement, the Finance Ministry said, “The central government has exempted from customs duty all drugs and food items imported for special medical purpose for personal use in relation to the treatment of all rare diseases listed under the National Rare Disease Policy 2021.” Full exemption has been given.
Exemptions are already provided for drugs prescribed for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy or Duchenne muscular dystrophy, but the government was receiving several representations seeking customs duty exemptions for drugs and medicines used to treat other rare diseases. Relief was requested.
Medicines or special food items for the treatment of these diseases are very expensive and need to be imported.
