Senior Cardiologist and Bengaluru Rural MP Dr CN Manjunath has taken a significant step to ease the financial burden on cancer patients. He recently wrote to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, requesting a customs duty exemption for imported immunotherapy drugs and radiotherapy equipment. The move aims to make advanced cancer treatment more accessible, especially for economically weaker sections.
Dr Manjunath highlighted a critical gap in current policies. While chemotherapy drugs already enjoy customs duty waivers, immunotherapy drugs and radiotherapy machines do not. This exclusion is puzzling, given their vital role in modern cancer care. Without these exemptions, the cost of treatment remains prohibitively high for countless patients.
The numbers are staggering. Immunotherapy alone costs between Rs 20 lakh and Rs 50 lakh per patient per treatment cycle. Most public health schemes do not cover these expenses, leaving many patients without access to life-saving therapies. As medical practice increasingly combines immunotherapy with chemotherapy for better outcomes, the financial strain on families has only intensified.
Adding to the problem is the steep cost of importing radiotherapy equipment. Hospitals and treatment centers often pass these expenses on to patients, further limiting accessibility. Dr Manjunath’s appeal seeks to address these challenges head-on, emphasizing the need for policy intervention.
His letter to the Finance Minister stressed that such a move would align with India’s commitment to equitable healthcare. It could transform lives by making cutting-edge treatments available to those who need them most. The response so far has been encouraging. Dr Manjunath shared that Nirmala Sitharaman responded positively and assured him the request would be prioritized.
For cancer patients and their families, this could be a game-changer. Reducing customs duties on these essential drugs and equipment may not eliminate all financial hurdles, but it’s a crucial step toward affordability. The hope is that policy changes will follow, bridging the gap between advanced medical care and those who desperately need it.