HC ALLOWS DUTY FREE IMPORT OF CRUCIAL BLACK FUNGUS DRUG

The Delhi high court on Thursday allowed the duty free import of Amphotericin-B, the only last line drug used to treat mucormycosis, on furnishing a bond by the importers till the Centre takes a decision on the tax waiver.

Till Thursday, India recorded 11,000 cases of mucormycosis, or black fungus, which has a high fatality rate, and cases have been rising sharply. This has, consequently, also led to an acute shortage of Amphotericin-B due to an unexpected spike in supply.

“Considering the fact that the drug is required to save lives of people being infected with black fungus...the central government shall seriously consider waiver of complete custom duties on these drugs at least for the period when it is in short supply,” the court said. “The gap between demand and supply is widening by every hour. It has to be done in a war footing.”