India Exempts Rare Disease Drugs, Keytruda From Customs Duty - Is It Enough?

India, China Likely Have Largest Numbers Of Rare Disease Patients

India has exempted imports of top-selling oncology drug Merck’s Keytruda from customs duty as also rare disease drugs listed in the National Policy For Rare Diseases. However, patient advocacy groups feel more fiscal measures and manufacturing incentives are needed to improve access  

Red Chess Piece Among White Ones
Tackling Rare Diseases Needs More Policy Measures, Fiscal Incentives • Source: Shutterstock

A recent move by the Indian government to exempt customs duty on drugs and food items prescribed for special medical purposes and imported for personal use to treat rare diseases listed in the National Policy For Rare Diseases, 2021 is a win for groups that have been working to sensitize policy makers and regulators to the needs of rare disease patients.

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Pink Sheet for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required

More from Rare Diseases

US FDA’s Makary Floats Vague ‘Plausible Mechanism’ Approval Pathway For Rare Diseases

 

Ascertaining the novelty and benefits of Makary’s new drug approval idea – along with what it would take to implement it – requires more clarity on the types of studies he envisions being used to grant and confirm “plausible mechanism’ approvals.

Industry Keen On ‘Stepwise’ PIPs, But Future Hinges On EU Pharma Legislation Reform

 

Industry feedback on a European Medicines Agency pilot that introduced a “stepwise” approach to pediatric investigation plans was positive, but the future of the new model will depend on the outcome of the pharmaceutical legislation negotiations, the agency says.

US FDA Rare Disease Innovation Hub’s Goals Align With Trump, Leader Says

 
• By 

The hub’s goals of efficiency, centralization and coordination fit with the Trump Administration’s current focus for the FDA, Amy Comstock Rick, director of strategic coalitions, told the Biopharma Congress.

AI Could Be Used ‘In The Deliberation’ Of HTA Reviews In England, Says NICE

 

England’s health technology assessment institute, NICE, is looking to “reimagine” its evaluation process with the help of AI, rather than just using this technology to speed up its existing processes.

More from Pink Sheet

ICH Modernizes Stability Testing Guideline

 
• By 

The International Council for Harmonisation has consolidated and modernized its existing stability guidelines into one document, and addressed modern stability testing approaches like modeling, bracketing, and matrixing.

EU Biosimilar Filings, Opinions And Approvals

 

A list of EU biosimilar filings, CHMP opinions and EU marketing authorizations, including details of the biosimilar company, the brand name/INN, indication(s), the reference product/company, and the date and type of event.

US CDC ACIP Puts GSK’s Penmenvy Even With Pfizer, Prepares For Infant MedQuadFi, Lyme Vaccines

 

US CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted for harmonized meningococcal vaccine recommendations, while hearing updates about Sanofi’s pending supplemental MedQuadfi indication, AstraZeneca’s FluMist self-administration launch plans, and Lyme disease