By:- Mr. Avik Chauhan, Cluster Chief Operating Officer at HCG Cancer Centre, Mumbai.

“As India’s disease burden shifts towards non-communicable diseases, the Budget is observed strengthening the healthcare landscape at a critical time for patients and provides much-needed structural reform. The emphasis on building robust biopharmaceutical capabilities and promoting India as a global medical tourism hub holds a future for expanding access to innovative cancer therapies and reducing dependency on imports. Complementing this, the exemption of basic customs duty on 17 cancer drugs and the inclusion of additional rare diseases for import duty relief will significantly ease the financial burden on patients, together improving long-term outcomes for chronic and cancer patients alike.

We are encouraged by initiatives that aim to improve affordability, accelerate clinical research, and enhance the overall quality of care for cancer patients nationwide. We look forward to supporting and participating in this collaborative journey to make world-class, affordable cancer care accessible to all.”