The drugs and medical equipment that are to cost less due to the populist customs tariff cut announcement of the central government on January 8th are Infliximab, Drotrecogin alfa (activated), Eptacog alfa activated, recombinant coagulation factor, Muromonab CD3, Interluekin-2, Valgancyclovir, low molecular weight heparin and Japanese encephalitis vaccine. The duty burden on these drugs has come down from 52% to 5%, due to the reduction of customs duty to 5% and the exemption of CVD and SAD on them.
Excise duty reduction on medical, surgical, dental and veterinary furniture from 16% to 8% and exemption of mosquito nets treated with pesticide from excise duty were also among the list of changes announced by the government.
The list of items that have been cleared for the tax benefits are Automated PCR analyser system for detection and monitoring of HIV viral load, flow cytometer hematology analyzer for CD4 count (AIDS segment), Leucocyte and platelets depletion filters for (Thalassaemia), rapid diagnostic kit (for malaria), artificial limbs/ other gadgets used by physically handicapped, medical devices like helical/spiral C T Scanner, positron emission tomography, PEC-CT combines, medical cyclotron, urine chemistry analyzer, radio frequency lesion generator for stereotactic brain lesioning for functional neuro surgery, teletherapy simulator machine, I V Line Filters, Multi-sclice/EBT CT scan, and linear accelerator, ultrasonic bi-microscope, AB Scan, corneal topographic machine, perimeter automated, non contact tonometer, nerve fibre layer analyzer, fundus flurescein angiograhy machine (digital with videography), optical coherence tomography machine, photo dynamic therapy-laser and transpupillary therapy.