Budget 2026 exempts 17 critical medicines, including cancer drugs Ribociclib, Abemaciclib from import duty
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Union Budget 2026-27 has permitted duty free import of 17 critical medicines, particularly cancer drugs and added seven rare diseases into the list of diseases for which drugs, medicines and Food for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP) can be imported duty free for personal use.
With the new addition, the number of critical medicines that are exempted from basic customs duty has increased to 129 while the total number of rare disease categories in the duty exempted list have increased to 58.
17 drugs that have been added to the exempted list
The 17 drugs and medicines that have been newly added to the exempted list are Ribociclib, Abemaciclib, Talycabtagene autoleucel, Tremelimumab, Venetoclax, Ceritinib, Brigatinib, Darolutamide, Toripalimab, Serplulimab, Tislelizumab, Inotuzumab ozogamicin, Ponatinib, Ibrutinib, Dabrafenib, Trametinib and Ipilimumab.
Seven rare diseases that gets into the exempted list
The seven rare diseases that gets into the exempted list are Congenital Hyperinsulinemic Hypoglycemia (CHI, Familial Homozygous Hypercholestrolemia, Alpha Mannosidosis , Primary Hyperoxaluria, Cystinosis, Hereditary Angioedema, and Primary Immune Deficiency Disorders. All seven rare diseases are part of the National Policy for Rare Disease (NPRD), 2021.
Commenting on the Budget announcement, Rajiv Chhibber, Joint Forum Coordinator, Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AIMED) said that policy steps such as rationalisation of duties on critical therapies including cancer drugs and increased focus on assistive and patient-centric technologies reinforce the government’s commitment to accessible and advanced healthcare.”
January 2026
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“At a time when India is deepening global economic engagement through FTAs with key regions including Europe and other strategic partners, this Budget provides the domestic manufacturing strength required to fully leverage these trade opportunities. For the medical devices sector, this is a decisive moment to scale exports, strengthen supply chains and position India as a trusted global partner in cardiovascular, diagnostic, implantable and high-technology medical devices. With continued policy-industry alignment, India is well positioned to transition from import substitution to global MedTech leadership while supporting national healthcare priorities and global health security”, Chhibber said.
Last year, in 2025-26 Budget, the government had provided relief to patients, particularly those suffering from cancer, rare diseases and other severe chronic diseases by adding 36 lifesaving drugs and medicines to the list of medicines fully exempted from Basic Customs Duty (BCD) and adding six lifesaving medicines to the list attracting concessional customs duty of 5%.