In a move to make life-saving treatments more affordable, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has issued an order mandating price reductions for three essential anti-cancer drugs: Trastuzumab, Osimertinib, and Durvalumab. This directive, released on October 28, 2024, follows the Union Budget’s announcement earlier this year, which introduced tax relief on these critical medications.

The initiative includes an exemption from customs duty, formalized in a notification (No. 30/2024) issued by the Department of Revenue under the Ministry of Finance on July 23, 2024. This measure, aimed at lowering import costs, was recently bolstered by a reduction in the GST rate on these drugs, from 12% to 5%, effective October 10, 2024. Both adjustments underscore the government's commitment to controlling drug prices and improving access to high-cost treatments for cancer patients.

With these tax cuts in place, the NPPA has now directed manufacturers to revise the maximum retail prices (MRP) of these drugs to reflect the reduced tax burden, ensuring the benefits reach consumers. Drug manufacturers are required to update pricing lists accordingly, informing dealers, state drug controllers, and government authorities of the new rates. The changes must also be submitted to the NPPA through the prescribed forms for regulatory tracking.

This move aligns with India’s broader efforts to make healthcare more accessible and emphasizes the government’s focus on reducing financial barriers to essential treatments, especially for serious conditions like cancer.