Delhi has become a preferred destination for patients who need life saving drugs during the last couple of months after Delhi government announced exemption of sales tax from a slew of life saving drugs.

The medicines which are most commonly used for extended periods in chronic diseases and life saving drugs which are used in acute life threatening situations that have been made tax free are hepatitis B vaccine, ethionamide, kanamycin and cycloserine (tuberculosis - multi drug resistant), insulin (diabetes), low molecular weight heparin, streptokinase and amiodarone (myocardial infarction / prevention of deep vein thrombosis in surgical/bed ridden cases), 5 FU, tamoxifen, hydroxy urea, vincristine sulphate, cisplatin, mitomycin and injectible ondansetron (anti-cancer), anti rabies vaccine - cell culture, cyclosporin and CAPD fluid (kidney transplant/ chronic renal failure), salbutamol inhaler and budesonide inhaler (COPD / asthma), zidovudine, stavudine, lamuvidine and nevirapine (anti-HIV) and dobutamine (shock).

The government has also exempted glucometer, strips and insulin syringes from sales tax to provide relief to chronic diabetics. Similarly, all the transactions made by the National Thallassemic Welfare Society in respect of drugs (Deferiprone), equipment and novelties have now become cheaper due to tax relief. Cochlear implants, used as hearing aids, are another segment that comes under tax exemption.

Interestingly, Delhi is known to be the first state in the country to introduce typhoid vaccine alongwith MMR and hepatitis B in its immunisation programme. The state government has also brought in 27 per cent increase in its budget allocation for health care and infrastructure. The amount has increased from Rs.421.80 crore in 2003 - 04 to Rs.537.75 crore in 2004 - 05.