Government Fully Exempts Custom Duty on Import of Drugs, Food for Special Medical Purposes for Personal Use to Treat Rare Diseases

The Central Government has given full exemption from basic customs duty on all drugs and Food for Special Medical Purposes imported for personal use for treatment of all Rare Diseases listed under the National Policy for Rare Diseases 2021 through a general exemption notification.

Individual importers must have a certificate from the Central or State Director of Health Services or the District Medical Officer/Civil Surgeon of the district to qualify for this exemption. Drugs/Medicines are normally subject to a 10% basic customs charge, with some types of lifesaving drugs/vaccines subject to a 5% or Nil concession.

While specific pharmaceuticals for the treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy or Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy have previously received exemptions, the government has received several requests for customs tax reduction for drugs and treatments used in the treatment of other Rare Diseases. The drugs or special foods necessary to treat these disorders are costly and must be imported. The yearly cost of therapy for some uncommon disorders for a kid weighing 10 kg is expected to range from Rs.10 lakh to more than Rs.1 crore per year, with treatment lasting a lifetime and medicine dose and cost increasing with age and weight.

This exemption will result in significant cost savings and much-needed comfort for patients.

In addition, the government has completely exempted Pembrolizumab (Keytruda), which is used in the treatment of several malignancies, from basic customs charge.

For Official Notification Download PDF Given Below: