New Delhi: To present a lot wanted relief to the individuals, the Central Government exempted basic customs duty on all drugs and meals for particular medical functions imported for private use for remedy of all rare diseases listed below the National Policy for Rare Diseases 2021 by a common exemption notification, knowledgeable the Ministry of Finance on Thursday.
The import duty waiver will come into impact from April 1. The Government has additionally absolutely exempted Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) utilized in remedy of varied cancers from basic customs duty.
Also Read: Essential medicines to turn out to be costlier as drug firms allowed worth hike
“The Central Government has given full exemption from basic customs duty on all drugs and Food for Special Medical Purposes imported for personal use for treatment of all Rare Diseases listed under the National Policy for Rare Diseases 2021,” a ministry assertion learn.
Food for Special Medical Purposes is a meals formulation meant to present dietary assist to individuals who are suffering from a particular illness, dysfunction or a medical situation, as part of their dietary administration.
To avail exemption importer has to produce a certificates
In order to avail this exemption, the person importer has to produce a certificates from Central or State Director Health Services or District Medical Officer or Civil Surgeon of the district.
Drugs or medicines entice basic customs duty of 10 computer
As per the ministry, the drugs or medicines typically entice basic customs duty of 10 per cent whereas some classes of lifesaving drugs or vaccines entice concessional price of 5 per cent or nil.
While exemptions have already been supplied to specified drugs for remedy of Spinal Muscular Atrophy or Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, the Government has been receiving many representations in search of customs duty relief for drugs and medicines utilized in remedy of different rare diseases.
Drugs or particular meals required for the remedy of those diseases are costly and wish to be imported. It is estimated that for a baby weighing 10 kg, the annual value of remedy for some rare diseases, might fluctuate from Rs 10 lakh to greater than Rs 1 crore per yr with remedy being lifelong and drug dose and value, growing with age and weight. “This exemption will result in substantial cost savings and provide much needed relief to the patients,” the ministry added.
