LUCKNOW, Feb. 2 -- Cancer patients in Uttar Pradesh, a state where access to advanced oncology medicines remains limited and prohibitively expensive, may soon see some relief as the Union Budget 2026-27 has exempted basic customs duty on several high-value cancer drugs. Along with this, diabetes medicine prices are also going to be significantly lower.

The relief measure includes targeted therapies such as Ribociclib, used in certain breast cancer treatments and Darolutamide, prescribed for prostate cancer. These medicines are often unavailable in most UP cities and typically have to be sourced from metro hubs like Mumbai or Pune, or imported from abroad.

Local medicine traders say the price barrier has long kept these drugs out of reac...