• Notification Date: 10-07-2023
• Notification No: N/A

GST Council Panel may consider Exempting IGST on Cancer Drug Import

The GST Council, which is scheduled to meet next Tuesday, is likely to exempt tax on the cancer medicine Dinutuximab, which is imported by individuals. Import of cancer medicine Dinutuximab (Qarziba) by individuals for personal use attracts 12 per cent IGST at present.  

The Fitment Committee has recommended that the medicine, which costs Rs 36 lakh, should be exempted from GST as patients and families usually raise money through crowdfunding to buy it. 

Besides, the import of medicines and Food for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP) used in the treatment of rare diseases for personal use and by centres of excellence are likely to be exempted from Integrated GST. Currently, such imports attract an IGST of 5 per cent or 12 per cent.  

Last year, a parliamentary panel on Monday had asked top government officials to consider waiving GST on cancer drugs and take stringent measures to check the prices of medicines and radiation therapy. 

The panel had suggested that cancer should be a “notifiable disease" so that its "actual burden" on the country can be ascertained and steps taken to provide help to patients.   

A notifiable disease is required by law to be reported to the government authorities. The collection of information allows the authorities to monitor the disease.  

Pointing that cancer treatment is “very expensive” in the country, members of the panel told the health ministry officials that there is a dire need to check the overall pricing of cancer treatment.  

The panel, which had representatives from different parties, said the government should take some stringent measures to check the prices of medicines and radiation therapy used for cancer treatment.