The Indian government has announced a complete exemption from Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on 36 essential lifesaving drugs in the Union Budget 2025. These drugs are critical for treating cancer, autoimmune diseases, rare genetic disorders, and other severe conditions. Below is the full list categorized by their therapeutic use:
1. Cancer Immunotherapy & Targeted Therapies
These drugs help treat various cancers by enhancing the immune system or targeting specific cancer pathways.
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Checkpoint Inhibitors (Boost the Immune System to Fight Cancer)
- Pembrolizumab – PD-1 inhibitor for multiple cancers
- Nivolumab – PD-1 inhibitor for various cancers
- Atezolizumab – PD-L1 inhibitor for cancer
- Durvalumab – PD-L1 inhibitor for cancer
- Avelumab – PD-L1 inhibitor for cancer
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Monoclonal Antibodies & Other Targeted Therapies
6. Trastuzumab – HER2-targeted therapy for breast cancer
7. Rituximab – Anti-CD20 therapy for blood cancers & autoimmune diseases
8. Bevacizumab – VEGF inhibitor for various cancers
9. Daratumumab – Anti-CD38 therapy for multiple myeloma
10. Blinatumomab – BiTE therapy for leukemia
11. Ibrutinib – BTK inhibitor for leukemia/lymphoma
12. Venetoclax – BCL-2 inhibitor for leukemia
2. Autoimmune & Inflammatory Disease Treatments
These drugs target inflammatory pathways to treat autoimmune disorders like multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and asthma.
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For Multiple Sclerosis & Blood Disorders
13. Ocrelizumab – Anti-CD20 for multiple sclerosis
14. Eculizumab – C5 complement inhibitor for blood disorders
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For Psoriasis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Crohn’s Disease
15. Secukinumab – IL-17 inhibitor for psoriasis & ankylosing spondylitis
16. Ixekizumab – IL-17 inhibitor for psoriasis
17. Ustekinumab – IL-12/IL-23 inhibitor for psoriasis & Crohn’s disease
18. Guselkumab – IL-23 inhibitor for psoriasis
19. Brodalumab – IL-17 receptor antagonist for psoriasis
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For Severe Eczema & Asthma
20. Dupilumab – IL-4/IL-13 inhibitor for eczema
21. Reslizumab – IL-5 inhibitor for severe asthma
22. Mepolizumab – IL-5 inhibitor for severe asthma
23. Benralizumab – IL-5 inhibitor for severe asthma
24. Omalizumab – IgE inhibitor for asthma
25. Tezepelumab – TSLP inhibitor for asthma
3. Osteoporosis Treatments
These drugs help prevent bone loss and fractures in osteoporosis patients.
26. Romosozumab – Sclerostin inhibitor for osteoporosis
27. Abaloparatide – PTHrP analog for osteoporosis
28. Teriparatide – PTH analog for osteoporosis
29. Denosumab – RANKL inhibitor for osteoporosis
4. Enzyme Replacement Therapies for Rare Genetic Disorders
These drugs replace deficient enzymes in patients with rare metabolic disorders.
30. Burosumab – For X-linked hypophosphatemia
31. Elosulfase alfa – For Morquio A syndrome
32. Idursulfase – For Hunter syndrome
33. Laronidase – For Hurler syndrome
34. Galsulfase – For Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome
5. Neurological Disorder Treatment
This drug is used for a rare neurodegenerative disease.
35. Cerliponase alfa – For Batten disease
This exemption aims to make critical treatments more affordable, benefiting thousands of patients suffering from life-threatening diseases.
