The Hindu : `Lower import duty on medicines'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 07, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala

`Lower import duty on medicines'

By Our Special Correspondent

KOZHIKODE MAY 6. A strong demand to lower the import duty on new medicines available for treating patients suffering from crippling rheumatic diseases was made at a press conference here today by K M Mahendranath, president, Indian Rheumatology Association (IRA).

Dr Mahendranath said the new medicines that had been developed in the past one decade offered new hope and relief to rheumatology patients.

However, the medicines, which had to be imported, were prohibitively expensive in India because of the high import duty (between 50 and 80 per cent) and hence their benefits remained beyond the reach of the poor.

The IRA had made several representations to the Central Government explaining the need to lower the import duty on these medicines. But the response so far had been negative because of the widespread belief that these medicines were not life-saving drugs for which alone such concessions were allowed.

Dr Mahendranath said the IRA would continue its efforts to persuade the Government to lower the levy.

The new treatment facilities and medicines available for rheumatic patients would be the focus of a continuing medical education programme to be held at the Taj Residency tomorrow under the aegis of the Malabar Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS).

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