brentuximab

New Delhi : Continuing its focus on addressing the challenge of skyrocketing drug prices , the Finance Minister, in her eighth Budget speech for the fiscal year 2025-26, announced a full exemption of basic customs duty (BCD) for 36 life-saving medications indicated for critical conditions such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, and rare disorders. “To provide relief to patients, particularly those suffering from cancer, rare diseases, and other severe chronic conditions, I propose to add 36 lifesaving drugs and medicines to the list of medicines fully exempted from Basic Customs Duty,” the Finance Minister said in her Budget speech. Previously, the exemption of BCD on these drugs was conditional on their availability free of cost under drug companies' Patient Assistance Programmes (PAP). Among these 36 medications, 25 are indicated for the treatment of different types of cancer, five are prescribed for rare disorders, two for respiratory diseases, three for autoimmune conditions, and one is used in the treatment of retinal diseases. The majority of these drugs are protected by patents, granting them global exclusivity, and are marketed by major pharmaceutical giants such as Merck, Roche, GSK, and AstraZeneca. Notably, in the previous Budget, the government announced the exemption of customs duty on three cancer drugs—Osimertinib, Durvalumab, and Trastuzumab Deruxtecan. The first two medications are indicated for lung cancer, while the latter is used in the treatment of breast cancer patients. Sharing his views on this announcement, Arjun Juneja, COO of Mankind Pharma, said, “The exemption of Basic Customs Duty on 36 life-saving drugs makes critical treatments, especially for oncology and rare diseases, more affordable. It aligns with the government’s vision of a self-reliant India, lays a solid foundation for the pharmaceutical sector , and enhances healthcare accessibility .” “The addition of 36 life-saving drugs to the list of medicines fully exempted from basic customs duty, along with six more medicines under concessional duty, will significantly reduce treatment costs for patients,” added DS Negi, CEO of Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre (RGCIRC). Commenting on its impact on patients, Dr. Tarang Gianchandani, CEO of Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation, said, “The basic customs duty exemption on 36 life-saving drugs, including those for cancer and rare diseases, ensures that critical treatments remain within reach for countless patients and their families, bringing hope.” List of 36 Medications given BCD Exemptions: S.No. Drug Company Clinical Indication 1. Pembrolizumab MSD (Merck, Sharp & Dohme) Cancer 2. Lorlatinib Pfizer Cancer 3. Dacomitinib Pfizer Cancer 4. Inotuzumab Ozogamicin Pfizer Cancer 5. Ribociclib Novartis Cancer 6. Dabrafenib Novartis Cancer 7. Selumetinib AstraZeneca Cancer 8. Fulvestrant AstraZeneca Cancer 9. Acalabrutinib AstraZeneca Cancer 10. Olaparib AstraZeneca Cancer 11. Amivantamab J&J Cancer 12. Teclistamab J&J Cancer 13. Daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fih J&J Cancer 14. Ibrutinib J&J Cancer 15. Bortezomib J&J Cancer 16. Daratumumab J&J Cancer 17. Cetuximab Merck Specialties (Merck KGaA) Cancer 18. Avelumab Merck Specialties Cancer 19. Tepotinib Merck Specialties Cancer 20. Brentuximab Takeda Cancer 21. Vedolizumab Takeda Cancer 22. Atezolizumab Roche Cancer 23. Pertuzumab+trastuzumab Roche Cancer 24. Polatuzumab vedotin Roche Cancer 25. Alectinib Roche Cancer 26. Benralizumab Astrazeneca Respiratory Disease (Asthma) 27. Mepolizumab GSK Respiratory Disease (Severe Asthma) 28. Ustekinumab J&J Autoimmune Disease (Psorasis) 29. Ocrelizumab Roche Autoimmune Disease (Multiple sclerosis) 30. Luspatercepto Bristol Myers Squibb Autoimmune Disease (Anemia) 31. Velaglucerase Takeda Rare Disorder (Type 1 Gaucher disease) 32. Agalsidase Alpha Takeda Rare Disorder (Fabry disease) 33. Idursulphase Takeda Rare Disorder (Hunter syndrome) 34. Risdiplam Powder Roche Rare Disorder (SMA) 35. Emicizumab Roche Rare Disorder (Hemophillia) 36. Faricimab Roche Retinal Disease By Online Bureau ,