To save infant’s life, Karnataka asks Centre to waive import taxes on Rs 17.5 cr drug

“… the exorbitant cost of this single-dose medication stands at approximately Rs 17.5 cr, presenting a formidable challenge for the family to access this crucial treatment. While the drug’s price itself is overwhelming, the added import taxes substantially increase the financial burden, making the acquisition of this life-saving medication nearly unattainable for them,” Chief Minister Siddaramaiah wrote in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

ಪ್ರಧಾನಿ @narendramodi ಅವರೇ,
ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದ 15 ತಿಂಗಳ ಮೌರ್ಯ ಎಂಬ ಪುಟ್ಟ ಕಂದ ‘ಸ್ಪೈನಲ್ ಮಸ್ಕ್ಯುಲರ್ ಅಟ್ರೋಪಿ’ ಎಂಬ ಅಪರೂಪದ ಕಾಯಿಲೆಯಿಂದ ಬಳಲುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾನೆ. ಈ ಮಗುವಿನ ಖಾಯಿಲೆಯನ್ನು ಗುಣಪಡಿಸಬಹುದಾದ ಝೋಲ್ಗೆನ್‌ಸ್ಮ ಎಂಬ ಚುಚ್ಚುಮದ್ದನ್ನು ವಿದೇಶದಿಂದ ಆಮದು ಮಾಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳಬೇಕಾಗಿದ್ದು, ಅದರ ಬೆಲೆ ರೂ. 17.5 ಕೋಟಿ ಇದೆ. ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಸರ್ಕಾರವು… pic.twitter.com/1mW5o1Dw99

— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) November 1, 2023

He urged the PM to direct the Ministry of Finance to waive import taxes on the medicine required for the child’s treatment, and requested the PM to consider allocating monetary support under PM-CARES for the family.

“I genuinely believe that the gravity of the situation and the life of a young child hanging in the balance warrant our collective action and support,” Siddaramaiah wrote in the letter dated October 27.

SMA is a relatively rare genetic illness in India, affecting one in around 8,000 births.