Cancer and heart medicines became cheapImage Credit Source: Boytaro Thongbun/500PX Plus/Getty Images
The central government has reduced the GST on many important medicines, giving great relief to the common people. This decision is especially important for cancer patients, because the treatment of these diseases lasts for a long time and thousands of rupees are spent every month on medicines. The government has completely removed GST on 33 life saving medicines. Earlier they were taxed at 12%. Now these medicines will be available on zero tax. These include medicines of many serious diseases such as Eskiminib, Mepolizumab, Pegilated Liposomal Irinotechon, Daratumumum, Aaglesids alpha, alirocumab, avolokumab, etc. Most of these are medicines used to treat cancer, which are already very high. With the removal of the tax, there will be a direct reduction in their prices and the burden of patients will be lighter.
Apart from this, relief has also been given on many other medicines. Which used to first seem to be 18% GST. Now they will be charged only 5% tax. This includes diabetes and heart related medicines, insulin, blood pressure control medicines and testing kits. These medicines used in everyday will now get cheaper, which will benefit millions of patients.
How to cancer patients beneficial
Dr. Rohit Kapoor in oncology department at Max Hospital It is said that this decision of the government will benefit cancer patients. Because their treatment lasts for a long time and the price of medicines reaches millions. In such a situation, the reduced expenditure will give direct benefit.
Dr. Rohit says that cancer patients have to eat medicines every month. In such a situation, several thousand rupees will be saved every month if GST is removed.
Cancer medicines that have become cheap
Daratumumab (Multiple Myeloma)
Alectinib (lung cancer)
Obinutzumab (blood cancer)
Polatuzumab Vedotin (lymphoma)
Entrectinib, Atezolizumab, Tepotinib, Avelumab (solid tumor, bladder and skin cancer)
News of relief for common people
Overall, this decision of the government has brought great relief to the general public. Due to removal of tax on expensive medicines and reducing tax on other medicines, patients suffering from serious diseases will no longer have to leave treatment. Their pockets will cost less and medicines will be easily available. This step is an important effort towards making health services more economical.