Budget 2026: Cancer, Rare Disease Drugs Duty-Free

The Union Budget 2026-27 has announced steps to provide quick help to patients with cancer and rare diseases. The government has decided to give a full exemption from basic customs duty on 17 important cancer-related drugs and medicines. This means these medicines can be imported without extra taxes, making them more affordable for patients.

In addition, the budget has proposed to add seven more rare diseases to the list of conditions that can get duty-free medicines, drugs, and special food for personal medical use. Patients with these rare diseases will now be able to import necessary treatments at lower costs.

These measures are aimed at reducing the financial burden on patients who need expensive medicines and supporting better healthcare access. By cutting import duties, the government hopes to make critical treatments more available to people in need.