New Delhi, 6 February, The Central Board of excise and Customs (CBEC) last week issued a notification withdrawing exemption of levy of basic customs duty on as many as 74 drugs.
74 drugs including life saving drugs used in treating cancer and HIV now have rise in prices as government withdrawn custom duty exemption on their imports.
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, antibiotic to treat infections.
In addition drugs used for bacterial infections, leukemia, anesthetic medication, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or hepatitis B virus cells, allergies, arthritis, lupus and ulcerative colitis might also see spurt in prices.
The drugs used in blood dilating medicine or for treating menopause, glaucoma, poisoning by a chemical or pesticide, growth failure in children and adults who lack natural growth hormone would also attract customs duty.
Ranjana Smetacek, Director General, Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India told PTI that the industry body was not consulted on this and “we believe the recent hike in duties on life saving drugs will be detrimental to Indian patients”.
As the customs duty waiver is withdrawn, the formulators would prefer to use domestic bulk and thereby create demand for the local production. This is also in the long-term interests of the consumer, as it will reduce dependence on vagaries of imports,” said Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance Secretary-General DG Shah.
