Citizens welcome customs duty exemption on Cancer drug raw materials, other medicines

ISLAMABAD, Jun 12 (APP): Patients, pharmacists and healthcare stakeholders on Friday welcomed the government’s decision to abolish customs duty on raw materials used in the local production of cancer and other life-saving medicines, saying the measure could help reduce treatment costs and improve access to essential drugs.

The announcement was made by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb while presenting the Federal Budget 2026-27 in the National Assembly. The government has decided to eliminate customs duty on more than 100 categories of raw materials used in the manufacturing of medicines for cancer and other diseases under the National Tariff Policy 2025-30.

Talking to APP, cancer patient Muhammad Aslam from Islamabad said the decision had given hope to thousands of families struggling to bear the high cost of treatment.

“Cancer treatment is extremely expensive and medicines consume a major portion of a family’s income. If this measure leads to lower prices, it will be a great relief,” he said.

Shazia Bibi, whose husband is undergoing cancer treatment in Islamabad, said many patients are forced to delay treatment because of financial constraints.

“Any reduction in medicine prices will help patients continue their treatment without interruption,” she added.

Medical store owner Rashid Mehmood welcomed the announcement, saying lower input costs for pharmaceutical manufacturers could help stabilize medicine prices in the market.

“If local companies get relief on raw materials, the benefit should eventually reach consumers. Effective implementation will be important,” he said.

Ch Abdul Waheed representing chemists and druggists, termed the measure a positive step for the pharmaceutical sector and patients alike.

He said the exemption would support local manufacturing and could improve the availability of essential medicines across the country.

Healthcare expert Dr. Ayesha Khan said the initiative reflected a patient-centric approach and could ease the financial burden on families affected by cancer and other chronic diseases.

She, however, stressed the need for regulatory oversight to ensure that the reduction in production costs is passed on to patients.

Stakeholders expressed optimism that the decision would strengthen the local pharmaceutical industry while making life-saving medicines more affordable and accessible for citizens.