Bengaluru: Bengaluru Rural MP Dr CN Manjunath met Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman Wednesday and urged her to exempt import duty on cancer drugs and equipment to make treatment more affordable. His appeal focused on immunotherapy drugs and radiotherapy equipment, which, unlike chemotherapy drugs, are not covered under existing exemptions.“The minister responded positively and promised to examine the request on priority,” Manjunath said Thursday.He said the cost of immunotherapy ranges between Rs 20-50 lakh per patient for each treatment cycle, placing it out of reach for many, particularly those from weaker economic backgrounds. Since most of these drugs and machines are imported, lack of exemption significantly adds to treatment costs, he said.Stressing that immunotherapy and radiotherapy are often used alongside chemotherapy and form the core of advanced cancer care, Manjunath said extending exemptions is crucial, given the rising number of cancer cases in India. “At present, customs duty has been waived on most chemotherapy drugs. But immunotherapy and radiotherapy, which are equally critical, remain excluded,” he pointed out.
