Union Budget 2025-26: High Drug Prices Persist Despite Customs Duty Waiver, Say Bhopal Docs

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Though the Centre has waived customs duty on medicines in Union Budget, they are still costly, which not many people can afford. According to doctors, Obinutuzumab medicine (for cancer) costs Rs 32 lakh for eight doses while Risdiplam (for 1-year dose) costs Rs 72 lakh. Alectinib is also costly as they are imported.

Dr OP Singh, a former oncology-radiology department head at Hamidia Hospital, said, “Doxy drugs, which are prescribed for cancer patients, cost Rs 14,000 in Indian market. Government has fixed it at Rs 800. But if medicine is not available at this rate, the government hospitals purchase (local purchasing category) Doxy drugs at 70% concession. Then too, it costs approximately Rs 4,000. So, the medicine under government control that cost Rs 800, is available for Rs 4,000 to cancer patient. This is the problem." He added, "Government should not only fix the price but it should also ensure availability of medicine. Secondly, colour should be fixed for generic medicine and there should be monitoring on fixing sticker of higher rate on medicines.”

Oncologist Dr Narendra Gupta said, “Customs duty has been waived on imported medicines. But these medicines are already very costly. They cost in lakhs (of rupees). So, even after waiving customs duty, their cost remains in lakhs. Medicines for cancer cost Rs 32 lakh (8 doses) and after waiving customs duty, its cost is Rs 27 lakh. Similarly, medicine for muscular dystrophy costs Rs 72 lakh and after waiving customs duty, it costs Rs 61 lakh for one year. Lung cancer drugs too are costly.”

Jan Swasthya Abhiyan convener Amulya Nidhi said, “Like list of rates of medical treatment under Ayusman Yojana, government should fix rate for medicines for common people and it should ensure their availability in market. Medicine price control is very important otherwise, even after initiative from government side, patients don’t benefit.”