Archive · 5 Sep 2025
GST Council Cuts Taxes on Cancer Drugs and Medicines
India is making medicines cheaper!
The government is removing or reducing taxes on important drugs, especially those used for cancer and other serious illnesses.
This means patients will pay less for their medications.
Other medicines will also have lower taxes.
The goal is to make healthcare more affordable for everyone and help families with the cost of treatment.
GST Council reduced taxes on 33 lifesaving drugs to 0%.
GST on 3 critical drugs for cancer and rare diseases reduced to 0%.
GST on all other drugs and medicines lowered to 5%.
Changes aim to reduce out-of-pocket spending and ease the burden on families.
Implementation set for September 22, 2025, with revisions in MRPs expected.
- Who
- Patients, Pharmaceutical Companies, the GST Council
- What
- GST rate reductions on lifesaving drugs, cancer treatments, and other medicines.
- When
- September 22, 2025
- Where
- India
- Why
- To reduce healthcare costs and increase access to treatments.
- Lifesaving Drugs GST
- 0% (down from 12%)
- Critical Drugs (Cancer, Rare Diseases) GST
- 0% (down from 5%)
- Other Drugs and Medicines GST
- 5% (down from 12%)
- Implementation Date
- September 22, 2025
Sources
Movie tickets to become cheaper after GST cut, but here’s the catch
IPL tickets get costlier with 40% GST, while moviegoers enjoy cheaper entry
Input Tax Credit effect: Why the GST cut may backfire for end-consumers in many sectors
GST revision: Moviegoers get relief in small screens, IPL goers face 40% rate for match tickets
Get ready to pay more for IPL tickets after GST reforms as league put in 40% tax bracket
GST rate cuts won’t touch gold and silver—why precious metals stay at 3%
GST overhaul: What the two-tier slab system means for businesses and taxpayers
GST cuts to lift GDP growth by up to 20 bps: HDFC Bank, Union Bank economists
IPL franchises, fans to feel the heat of 40% GST on tickets
Will movie tickets get cheaper? Depends on where you live and the kind of theatre you visit
‘Haters ko fan banane ka ghamand’: GST rate cut memes take over the Internet, see the best ones here
GST Effect: IPL Tickets Get Costlier!
GST slash on movie tickets: Single screens to get a boost
Stadium seats set to become costlier as GST rate rises to 40 per cent - Telegraph India
GST 2.0: Salted Popcorn To Attract 5 Per Cent, Caramel-Flavoured 18 Per Cent
Healthcare savings with a word of caution as experts warn of delayed or partial benefits - Telegraph India
Buyers weigh GST gains: Reforms in place, poser on passing on of benefits - Telegraph India
To turn Delhi into ‘capital for live entertainment’, booking costs of 2 stadiums set to be cut
Mint Quick Edit | GST rates for cars reveal a blind spot
How will India’s new GST reforms impact medicines, diagnostics and insurance?
Cheaper Flights, Hotels, And Dining: How The New GST Rates Are Making Travel Across India More Accessible This Festive Season
GST Council Approves CGST Act's Amendment Of Section To Allow Export Refunds Made With Tax Payment
GST Rejig 2025: Refunds Made Easier For Low Value E-Commerce Exports, Industry Welcomes Reforms
Cutting GST Rates For Dairy Products To 5% Will Benefit Farmers & Consumers: Milky Mist Dairy Food's Official
Cancer Meds Get Cheaper: GST Council Slashes Tax On 33 Lifesaving Drugs
