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Key Points

The Indian Medical Association has praised the GST Council's decision to reduce taxes on cancer medications and essential drugs. This move will make critical treatments more affordable for millions of patients across India. The association is also calling for further GST exemptions on medical equipment and hospital beds to reduce operational costs. These changes represent a significant step toward improving healthcare accessibility and reducing financial burdens on families.

Key Points: IMA Commends GST Council Cancer Medicine Tax Cut as Commendable Step

  • GST slashed from 12% to 5% on cancer and essential medicines
  • Move aims to reduce financial strain on patients and families
  • IMA urges further GST exemption on lifesaving drugs
  • Medical equipment and hospital beds also recommended for tax cuts
2 min read

GST Council's decision to slash GST on cancer medicines, essential drugs 'commendable': IMA

Indian Medical Association praises GST reduction on cancer drugs and essential medicines from 12% to 5%, calling it a major boost for affordable healthcare access.

"The reduction in GST on critical drugs reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening public health infrastructure - Indian Medical Association"

New Delhi, Aug 25

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council’s decision to slash GST on several cancer-related and other essential medicines is a “commendable step”, said the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Monday.

In a statement, the IMA noted that the move will make healthcare more affordable and accessible for millions of patients across the country.

“The reduction in GST on critical drugs reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening public health infrastructure and supporting those battling serious medical conditions such as cancer, chronic diseases, and life-threatening infections,” the IMA said.

The statement comes as the government is working to reduce GST on a range of essential and life-saving medicines as part of its broader tax reforms.

For cancer drugs and other critical treatments, the proposed changes include lowering GST rates from 12 per cent to 5 per cent, and in some cases bringing them down to nil.

Medicines used in the treatment of rare diseases are also under consideration for exemption.

The move aims to ensure that high-cost therapies, which already place a heavy financial strain on patients and their families, become more affordable and widely accessible.

Notably, the association urged the government and GST Council to further alleviate the burden on patients and healthcare providers by enabling GST exemption on lifesaving and essential medicines, including on drugs used for chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies; insulin and oral agents used for diabetes.

It also urged GST exemption on antihypertensives and cardiac medications; drugs used for chronic kidney disease, collagen vascular diseases, thyroid disorders, asthma, COPD, osteoporosis, and serious infections; intravenous immunoglobulin and drugs used in haematological conditions like haemophilia and myelodysplastic syndromes.

Further, the IMA called for a reduction in GST on medical equipment, which would “significantly lower operational costs for hospitals and clinics, making treatment more affordable”.

IMA also strongly recommended “complete removal of GST on hospital beds to ensure affordability of hospitalisation” and GST exemption on health insurance premiums “to ease the financial burden on individuals and families, particularly in times of medical emergencies”.

This, it said, would encourage wider adoption of health insurance and improve healthcare access.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Finally some good news for common people. Medical expenses have become unbearable for middle class families. Government should also ensure these savings actually reach patients and aren't absorbed by hospitals.
D
David E
As someone working in healthcare, this is a step in the right direction. However, the government needs to also address the massive price variations between branded and generic medicines. The real benefit comes when quality medicines become affordable.
A
Ananya R
Excellent decision! My mother needs regular medication for hypertension and diabetes. Even 5% reduction makes a difference over months. Hope they include all chronic disease medicines under this benefit 💊
S
Sarah B
While this is positive, I hope the government monitors implementation closely. Sometimes these benefits don't trickle down to actual patients. Also, medical equipment and hospital costs need similar attention.
V
Vikram M
Bahut accha decision hai! Cancer treatment costs have ruined many families. Government should also look at health insurance premiums - that's another big expense for middle class Indians.

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