New Delhi, October 29 (IANS). The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers said that after the exemption in customs duty and reduction in GST rates, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has now directed drug manufacturers to reduce the MRP on three anti-cancer drugs.
The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) in an office memorandum dated October 28 directed the manufacturers concerned to reduce the MRP on three anti-cancer drugs trastuzumab osimertinib and durvalumab.
“This is in line with the government’s commitment to ensure availability of medicines at affordable prices,” the ministry said.
In the Union Budget 2024-25, the government exempted customs duty on three cancer medicines to reduce the financial burden of people suffering from cancer and for easy availability of the medicine. The government reduced the GST rate on these three cancer drugs from 12 percent to 5 percent.
“The MRP of these medicines in the market should be reduced and the benefit of lower taxes and duties should be passed on to the consumers,” the memorandum said.
It directed manufacturers to issue price lists or supplementary price lists indicating the changes to dealers, state drug controllers and the government and submit information about price changes to NPPA through Form-II/Form V.
Trastuzumab deruxtecan is used for breast cancer, while osimertinib is used for lung cancer and durvalumab is used for both lung cancer and bile duct cancer.
Cancer cases are increasing significantly in India. India recorded nearly 12 lakh new cancer cases and 9.3 lakh deaths in 2019, making it the second-highest contributor to the disease burden in Asia, according to a Lancet study.
The study revealed that this number increased to 13.9 lakh in 2020, from 14.2 lakh and 14.6 lakh in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
–IANS
MKS/GKT