Union Budget 2026: 17 Cancer Drugs and Medicines for 7 Rare Diseases Get Import Duty Exemption

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Union Budget 2026: 17 Cancer Drugs and Medicines for 7 Rare Diseases Get Import Duty Exemption

Key Takeaways:

The cost of chemotherapy and other related therapies has significantly dropped because basic customs duty (BCD) has been fully waived for 17 cancer drugs.
Medicines for 7 rare diseases and specialised medical foods are now duty-exempt.
Because of the simplification of supply chain taxes, insulin and other essential diabetic medications are likely to become more affordable.

In terms of better accessibility to cancer treatment in India, the Union Budget 2026-27 makes a significant contribution. In the announcement of the healthcare initiatives, the government eliminated the basic customs duty on 17 cancer medicines that are essential for the treatment of advanced cancer, which are often imported.

Cancer treatment generally involves long-term therapy and the use of specialty medicines, many of which are not manufactured in India. Import duties affect the overall cost of treatment, which makes it difficult for a lot of patients to afford it. The new exemptions are aimed at improving the financial constraints for patients using imported oncology medicines.

What Does the Import Duty Exemption Mean?

When life-saving medicines are imported into India, they usually attract a basic customs duty, which increases the overall cost paid by patients and hospitals. By eliminating this duty, the government has reduced the landed cost of these therapeutic drugs.

In simple terms, hospitals and importers can now bring these cancer medicines into India at an affordable cost, which may help reduce treatment expenses over time, particularly for those undergoing prolonged or high-cost therapies.

List of Cancer Drugs Covered Under the Exemption:

Under Budget 2026-27, below mentioned 17 cancer drugs have received an exemption from basic customs duty:

Ribociclib
Venetoclax
Ceritinib
Brigatinib
Toripalimab
Serplulimab
Ponatinib
Ibrutinib
Abemaciclib
Darolutamide
Dabrafenib
Trametinib
Tislelizumab
Tremelimumab
Ipilimumab
Inotuzumab ozogamicin
Talycabtagene autoleucel

These therapeutic drugs are widely used in the treatment of breast cancer, blood cancers, lung cancer, melanoma, and other complex or aggressive cancers. Most of them are modern treatment approaches such as immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and cell-based therapies.

Building on Previous Healthcare Measures

This exemption is related to earlier government initiatives. In the previous budget, 36 life saving drugs including those for cancer and rare diseases were exempted from customs duties. These included Trastuzumab Deruxtecan, Osimertinib and Durvalumab.

The recent 2026 update shows an increased number of duty-free life-saving medicines. This shows an increasing commitment to affordable healthcare.

Relief Extended to Rare Disease Patients:

The budget has also increased support for patients with rare diseases. Seven more rare diseases have been added to the list that allows for the duty-free personal importation of certain medicines and special medical foods (FSMPs).

These include:

Cystinosis
Alpha-Mannosidosis
Primary Hyperoxaluria
Hereditary Angioedema
Familial Homozygous Hypercholesterolaemia
Primary Immune Deficiency Disorders
Congenital Hyperinsulinemic Hypoglycaemia (CHI)

All these conditions fall under the National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD), 2021, increasing the total number eligible diseases to 58.

Expert Views on Affordability:

Patient advocacy groups have welcomed the move but also highlighted ongoing challenges. As per the ORDI, even though duty exemption helps to some extent in cost reduction, a lot of imported medicines continue to be exorbitantly priced.

Experts point out that customs duty removal may slightly extend treatment duration, but long-term access will need structured government funding and support mechanisms, mainly for high-cost treatments used in rare and life-threatening diseases.

Conclusion: What Budget 2026 Means for Cancer Patients

One of the positive impacts of the Union Budget 2026-27 is the exemption of import duties that should make medicines for cancer and other rare diseases more accessible in India. Easing the additional costs of importing medicines will lessen the financial burden on patients and their families.

Though the exemption may not resolve all affordability challenges, it shows continued attempts to assist individuals reliant on imported, lifesaving treatments. Along with prospective policy reforms, this can begin to enhance access to cutting edge therapeutics and strengthen the long-term healthcare outcomes in India.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

What does customs duty exemption mean for patients?

Customs duty exemption means that some imported medicines can enter India without basic customs tax. This reduces the total cost of imported drugs, which may help reduce treatment expenses for those who depend on imported medicines.

Does the exemption apply to all cancer drugs?

No. The only medicines exempted are those specified in the Union Budget 2026-27. Other cancer medicines not included in the notified list will continue to attract applicable import duties.

Are these medicines available in India?

Most of these medications are usually imported and not produced in India. Depending on regulatory approvals and the hospital's procurement system, some medicines may be available through special import criteria. This also depends on doctor prescriptions.

References:

Ministry of Finance, Government of India – Union Budget 2026–27
Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC)
National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD), 2021
Organisation for Rare Diseases India (ORDI)
World Health Organization – Cancer Treatment and Access

Nitin