Drugs for uncommon illnesses obtain a customs duty waiver

The Union government announced through a general exemption notification that all medications and food imported for specific medical uses for treating any of the rare diseases listed under the National Policy for Rare Disorders, 2021 are now completely exempt from basic customs charge. The waiver will start working on Saturday.

Pembrolizumab (Keytruda), which is used to treat a number of malignancies, has also been completely exempted from basic customs tax by the Center.