In a significant move aimed at making life-saving drugs more affordable, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the exemption of basic customs duty on three cancer treatment medicines. This announcement was made during the presentation of the Union Budget 2024-25 in Parliament on Tuesday.
Reacting to the development, Dr Mandeep Singh Malhotra, Director of Surgical Oncology at CK Birla Hospital, Delhi explained what are the specific uses of each of the three cancer treatment medicines, the effect on the cost and more.
What are these drugs used for specifically
Trastuzumab Deruxtecan: This is an antibody-drug conjugate used primarily to treat HER2-positive breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic). It is also being studied for use in other types of cancer, such as gastric cancer.
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Osimertinib: This is a targeted therapy used to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with specific mutations in the EGFR gene. It is particularly effective against cancers that have developed resistance to earlier generations of EGFR inhibitors.
Durvalumab: This is an immunotherapy drug that works by blocking the PD-L1 protein, helping the immune system to attack cancer cells. It is used to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and ur othelial carcinoma (bladder cancer).
How much will the cost come down
The exact reduction in cost will depend on the current customs duty rates and other associated costs such as import taxes and logistics. Exemption from basic customs duty could potentially reduce the price by 10-20 percent, making these treatments more affordable for patients. However, precise figures would require detailed pricing and duty structure analysis.
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How commonly are these drugs prescribed
Trastuzumab Deruxtecan: This is commonly prescribed for patients with advanced HER2-positive breast cancer who have not responded to other treatments. It is relatively new but has shown significant promise in clinical trials.
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Osimertinib: This is widely prescribed for patients with EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer. It is often used as a first-line treatment and is also prescribed for patients whose cancer has progressed despite other EGFR inhibitors.
Durvalumab: This is commonly used in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer and bladder cancer, particularly after initial treatments have failed. It is also used in combination with other treatments to enhance efficacy.
More uses of the medicines and how will removal of customs duty help
Trastuzumab Deruxtecan: Used for advanced HER2-positive breast cancer.
Osimertinib: Used for EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer.
Durvalumab: Used for non-small cell lung cancer and bladder cancer.
Exempting these drugs from basic customs duty will lower their import costs, making them more affordable for patients. This can improve access to advanced cancer treatments, reduce the financial burden on patients and their families, and potentially improve treatment outcomes by allowing more patients to benefit from these effective therapies.
