Archive · 30 Jan 2026
Patient Assistance Programs Lack Visibility After Budget Exemption
Last year, the Indian government announced that certain medicines from big drug companies would be exempt from customs duty if given for free to patients.
This was supposed to help more people get these expensive medicines.
But almost a year later, it's not clear if this has actually helped many patients.
Some experts say the programs are complicated and not very transparent.
They also say that the government should do more to make sure these medicines are affordable for everyone, not just those who can pay.
One company, Pfizer, said they are running programs to help patients, but other companies haven't shared much information.
Experts and activists are calling for more transparency and government action to make sure these programs really help people who need the medicines.
Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) for 13 medicines from 10 multinational drugmakers were exempted from basic customs duty in the last Union Budget.
Almost a year later, there is little visibility on whether these programs have expanded access to more patients or medicines.
Experts point out that PAPs are complicated and lack transparency, with no publicly available information on the number of beneficiaries.
Dr. Kumar Prabhash from Tata Memorial Hospital says PAPs do not substantially increase access to medicines for patients who need them.
Pfizer confirmed running assistance programs and appreciated the government's support, while other companies either did not respond or chose not to comment.
- Who
- Drugmakers and patients in India
- What
- Lack of visibility and transparency in Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) after Budget exemption
- When
- Almost a year after the Budget announcement, a day before Budget 2026
- Where
- India
- Why
- To expand PAPs to more patients and medicines, but lack of information and accountability hinders progress
- Programs Involved
- Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs)
- Companies Involved
- MSD Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, Novartis, AstraZeneca, Johnson and Johnson, Merck Specialities, Takeda, GlaxoSmithKline, Roche, Bristol-Myers Squibb
- Medicines Covered
- 13 innovative medicines for cancers, multiple sclerosis, severe anaemia, spinal muscular atrophy
- Budget Announcement
- Exemption from basic customs duty for free medicines
- Expert Opinion
- Dr. Kumar Prabhash, Professor, Tata Memorial Hospital
- Public Health Concern
- Lack of transparency and accountability in PAPs
- Pfizer's Response
- Running assistance programs, waiver of customs duty enhances access
- Government's Role
- Need for concrete legal and policy measures for affordable medicine access