(a) whether the Government has received a request to remove import duty
on 60-odd anti-AIDS and cancer drugs in order to bring down prices;and
(b) if so,the details thereof and action taken by the Government thereon?
(a) whether the Government has received a request to remove import duty
on 60-odd anti-AIDS and cancer drugs in order to bring down prices;and
(b) if so,the details thereof and action taken by the Government thereon?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI S.S.PALANIMANICKAM)
(a) In 2006-07, Government had received recommendation for
full exemption from customs and excise duty on 27 anti-AIDS
drugs and 69 anti-cancer drugs.
(b) The recommendation was examined in 2006-07 budget and 10 specified
anti-AIDS, 14 anti-cancer drugs, and bulk drugs for their manufacture
were provided a concessional customs duty of 5%.These drugs were also
exempted from CVD equal to excise duty. With the reduction in Central
Excise duty applicable to drugs and medicines from 16% to 8% in the
budget 2008-09,and subsequent reduction to 4% on 7.12.2008, the import
duty on all drugs has reduced further.