Delhi High Court asks Centre why high import duty imposed on drugs essential to treat Mucormycosis

The Delhi High Court order came on a plea filed by advocate Iqra Khalid after his grandfather had required the drug for the treatment of black fungus.

The Delhi High Court on Thursday asked the Centre why high import duty had been imposed on Amphotericin B, which is essential to treat black fungus patients, mainly those who are getting affected by it after recovering from Covid-19. The high court said that the drug was required to save the lives of people suffering from Mucormycosis, which is afflicting thousands across the country. It asked the central government to consider waiver of customs duty till the time the medicine is in short supply in India. "We are of the opinion that the center should seriously consider waiver of customs duty/import duty for the period while the drug is in short supply in India," the Delhi High Court observed.