The GST Council has given relief to patients by exempting cancer medicine Dinutuximab and special food for treating rare diseases from GST. Dinutuximab, branded as Qarziba, is used to treat nerve cell cancer called neuroblastoma in patients over 1 year old. The medicine costs Rs. 36 lakhs and is imported by individuals for personal use. Previously, it was taxed at 12 per cent Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST).
Last year, a Parliamentary committee suggested exempting cancer medicines from GST. They indicated that the high cost of cancer treatment in the country should be recognized as a medical condition that must be reported to the government.
Experts say that since these medicines are usually imported, patients have to raise the money themselves unless they are part of an NGO or a charitable organisation. Patients often rely on donations and crowdfunding, but it can be challenging to gather enough funds.
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Another option is to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to seek government assistance through the rare diseases fund. However, these processes can take months, and timely administration of the medicine is crucial.
Besides being expensive, accessing these proprietary medicines for rare diseases is unreliable and unregulated. They are mainly imported when needed. When a doctor prescribes the medicine, the patient is usually connected to an NGO or other patients who require the same prescription. The ultimate goal is for a distributor to import the medication normally for multiple patients.
Kudos to the GST Council for granting exemptions on vital cancer drug Dinutuximab and special food. This thoughtful decision lightens the burden, ensuring access to critical treatments for those in need.
There is no point in Exempting Dinutuximab alone as there were so many medicines were imported on Personal use through Form 12B
by the Patient who pays 12% IGST which is ridiculous. Because all the imported Cancer medicines are latest fda approved drugs which are not available in India where the Cost is Exorbitant like Dinutuximab. Already the Patient & thier relatives are in trauma due to different types of cancer and its not fair to add 12% IGST on thier total cost. They try to save thier lives by selling thier house, Property and through fundings. By adding 12% to import on Personal use Cancer medicines which will be costing minimum of 1lacs to 50lacs for single time purchase is like adding fuel to the fire. This importing on personal use segment is always neglected or do not know whether people have not taken this to GST council yet.