India, Feb. 4 -- The Union Budget 2026-27 proposed an exemption of basic customs duty on 17 cancer-related drugs, alongside the inclusion of seven more rare diseases under the eligibility list. Beyond the physical toll, the cost of treatment remains one of the biggest hurdles for cancer patients in India. With treatment often stretching over months or years, improved drug affordability offers much-needed relief.

The 17 drugs in this regard are Ribociclib, Abemaciclib, Talycabtagene autoleucel, Tremelimumab, Venetoclax, Ceritinib, Brigatinib, Darolutamide, Toripalimab, Serplulimab, Tislelizumab, Inotuzumab ozogamicin, Ponatinib, Ibrutinib, Dabrafenib, Trametinib and Ipilimumab.

These drugs are widely used across advanced cancer care, inc...