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India's Union Budget 2025 brought significant relief to cancer and rare disease patients with the announcement of full basic customs duty exemption on 36 life-saving drugs. This measure, announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, directly addresses the high cost of essential medications, a major barrier to timely and effective treatment for many vulnerable individuals. The exemption extends beyond these 36 drugs, encompassing an additional 37 medicines and 13 new patient assistance programs, further expanding access to vital healthcare resources. While six life-saving drugs retain a five percent duty, the overall impact of the exemption is a substantial reduction in the financial burden faced by patients and their families. This move is a critical step towards ensuring equitable access to healthcare in a country grappling with a significant disease burden. The government's commitment is particularly vital given the concerning rise in cancer cases reported in recent years, with India ranking as one of the highest-burdened countries globally.
The decision to exempt these life-saving drugs reflects a larger government strategy aimed at improving healthcare infrastructure and accessibility. The Budget also outlined plans to bolster medical education by adding 10,000 additional seats in medical colleges next year, escalating to 75,000 seats over the next five years. This ambitious expansion aims to address the critical shortage of medical professionals, particularly specialists, in many regions of the country. In conjunction with the expanded medical education initiatives, the government pledged to establish daycare cancer centers in all district hospitals, starting with 200 centers in 2025-26. This initiative will bring crucial cancer care closer to patients in underserved areas, reducing travel time and costs and improving access to timely treatment. The government's commitment to infrastructural improvements extends beyond cancer care, with plans to provide broadband connectivity to all government secondary schools and primary healthcare centers. This digital infrastructure upgrade will improve communication, facilitate remote consultations, and enhance the efficiency of healthcare services.
The Budget 2025's healthcare announcements are not limited to infrastructure development and drug price reductions; they also incorporate significant social safety net measures. The inclusion of gig workers under the PM Jan Aarogya Yojana (PM-JAY) healthcare scheme is a notable example of this. Gig workers, often facing precarious employment conditions and lacking access to regular healthcare benefits, will now be provided with crucial medical coverage. This move addresses a crucial gap in healthcare access for a growing segment of the workforce, signifying a commitment to inclusive and comprehensive healthcare for all citizens. The comprehensive nature of Budget 2025's healthcare provisions points to a holistic approach that addresses various aspects of healthcare accessibility, from enhancing medical education and infrastructure to ensuring affordable medication and expanding social safety nets. While the budget's long-term effectiveness will depend on its successful implementation, the declared initiatives represent a significant step towards improving healthcare outcomes for millions of Indians, particularly those battling debilitating diseases like cancer.
The government's commitment to addressing the increasing cancer burden is not merely symbolic. A Lancet study cited in various reports highlights the staggering numbers of new cancer cases and deaths in India, demonstrating the urgency of the situation. The numbers steadily increased, from 12 lakh new cancer cases and 9.3 lakh deaths in 2019 to 14.6 lakh cases in 2022. These statistics underscore the scale of the challenge and the critical need for significant intervention. The measures announced in Budget 2025, therefore, are not just policy changes; they are a direct response to a public health crisis that necessitates swift and decisive action. The combined impact of duty exemptions on life-saving drugs, increased medical education, improved healthcare infrastructure, and expanded social safety nets represents a multi-pronged strategy designed to confront this critical health challenge head-on. The next few years will be critical in assessing the impact of these measures on patient outcomes and the overall improvement in India's healthcare landscape.
Source: Budget 2025: 36 Life-Saving Drugs Fully Exempted From Basic Customs Duty