Union Government has scrapped customs import duties for drugs and test
kits used to treat Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired
immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS).

In this regard Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) has issued a
notice that will remain in effect till March 2016. This decision will
help to cut prices of AIDS drugs across the country and thus help
directly in Government's national program to fight the disease.

It will also make import raw materials that are used to make
antiretrovirals under the national program cheaper.

This tax exemption will be applicable to certain first-line and
second-line antiretroviral drugs which are used to treat adults and
children.

Apart from drugs certain diagnostic kits and equipment are also
exempted from tax.

In India more than 2.1 million HIV/AIDS patients are provided with
daily antiretrovirals for free from state-run distribution centres
which are operated by National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO).

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