Life-saving drugs set to cost more

New Delhi, February 7

The prices of at least 74 medicines, including life-saving ones, are likely to go up by 22 to 35 per cent as the government has withdrawn customs duty exemption on their imports.

Recently, the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) issued a notification withdrawing exemption of levy of basic customs duty on these drugs.

The medicines on which customs duty will now be imposed include the ones used for treating kidney stones, cancer chemotherapy and radiotherapy, life-threatening heart rhythm disorders, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, bone diseases and antibiotics to treat infections.

Besides, drugs used for bacterial infections, leukaemia, anaesthetic medication, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or hepatitis B virus cells, allergies, arthritis, lupus and ulcerative colitis might also see spurt in prices.

The government move came under criticism today with Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw saying levy of any duty on these medicines does not resonate well with India’s affordable healthcare mission.

Echoing Mazumdar-Shaw’s view, the Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India Director-General Ranjana Smetacek said the government move would be detrimental to patients depending on life-saving drugs.

“We should, as a country, exempt life-saving drugs from any kind of levies. Because after all you want affordable access and that is what you are basically touting as your healthcare mission. You know levying any kind of duty on life-saving drugs does not resonate well,” said Mazumdar-Shaw, the Biocon CMD.

Smetacek said the industry body was not consulted on this. “We believe the recent hike in duties on life-saving drugs will be detrimental to Indian patients,” she said.

Withdrawal of concessional custom duty for these drugs will adversely impact patients’ interest as it may lead to increase in prices. This is in complete contradiction to the public interest as mentioned in the notification, she added. — PTI