India, Feb. 1 -- The Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday proposed to add 36 life-saving drugs and medicines to the list of medicines fully exempted from Basic Customs Duty, a move which will provide relief to patients, particularly to those suffering from cancer, rare diseases and other severe chronic diseases.

The Budget also proposes to add 6 life-saving medicines to the list attracting concessional customs duty of 5%.

"Specified drugs and medicines under Patient Assistance Programmes run by pharmaceutical companies are fully exempt from Basic Customs Duty, provided the medicines are supplied free of cost to patients," read a statement issued by the Indian government.

Nirmala Sitharaman presented...