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In a major relief to cancer patients and their families, in the Union Budget 2026-27, the government has announced complete abolition of Basic Customs Duty on 17 life-saving cancer drugs. The move aims to make advanced and modern cancer treatment more affordable and increase its accessibility in the country.

Cancer treatment is often long, complex, and extremely expensive, especially when the treatment requires imported drugs. In many cases, the high cost of medicines becomes the biggest obstacle to timely and effective treatment. In such a situation, the exemption in custom duty is expected to directly reduce the total cost of treatment of patients.

Custom duty is a tax that is imposed on imported goods. When this duty on medicines is removed, their ‘landed cost’ reduces. In simple words, importers and hospitals will no longer have to pay basic customs duty on these medicines, allowing these medicines to reach patients at lower prices.

In a disease like cancer, where patients need drugs for a long time, even a small reduction in price can provide huge financial relief over time.

The drugs that have been exempted from custom duty in Budget 2026-27 are those used in the treatment of breast cancer, lung cancer, blood cancer, prostate cancer and other aggressive or rare types of cancer. These include modern medicines to immunotherapy, targeted therapy and cell-based treatments, which are considered important parts of advanced oncology today.

Complete list of 17 cancer drugs exempted from custom duty in Budget 2026-27

These drugs are widely used in advanced cancer treatment and in many cases prove to be life-saving for patients.

The decision to remove basic custom duty on these 17 cancer medicines is an indication that the government is giving priority to affordable availability of health services. Although the overall cost of cancer treatment still remains high, experts believe that such steps can help gradually reduce the ‘out-of-pocket’ expenses of patients.

Experts also believe that if such policies are combined with widespread health insurance coverage and promotion of domestic drug manufacturing, substantial improvements in access and affordability of cancer treatment in India are possible in the coming years.

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