Budget 2025 on healthcare policies: 36 life-saving drugs to be exempted from customs duty; key highlights

Here are key highlights from the Union Budget 2025 in healthcare sector:

• All government secondary schools and primary healthcare centers will be equipped with broadband connectivity
• India will promote medical tourism through collaborations with the private sector
• Next year, 10,000 new seats will be added to medical colleges and hospitals, with a total of 75,000 seats planned over the next five years
• To support patients, especially those with cancer, rare diseases, and severe chronic illnesses, the government plans to add 36 lifesaving drugs and medicines to the list of those fully exempt from Basic Customs Duty (BCD)
• The government plans to establish daycare cancer centers in all district hospitals within the next three years, with 200 centers set to be opened in 2025-26
• The government has proposed adding six lifesaving medicines to the list eligible for a concessional 5% customs duty. Full exemption and concessional duty will also apply to bulk drugs used in their manufacturing
• Under patient assistance programs by pharmaceutical companies, specified drugs and medicines supplied free of cost are fully exempt from Basic Customs Duty (BCD). The government now proposes to add 37 more medicines and include 13 new Patient Assistance Programs under this exemption