From better regulatory frameworks to investments in emerging trends, and from easing medical tourism visas to bridging the rural-urban divides, health sector experts are looking forward to how the upcoming budget will contribute to the healthcare ecosystem.
In 2024-25, the Ministry for Health and Family Welfare was given Rs 90,659 crore, a figure which just accounts for 1.9% of the country’s GDP. This is much below the 2.5% which National Health Policy of 2017 had suggested.
While experts from the sector laud government initiatives such as GST exemption for life-saving gene therapies; and customs duty exemptions on cancer medicines; they do want that innovation and ease of doing business to be budget priorities.
Amit Mookim, CEO, Immuneel Therapeutics, suggested that the government implement a strong regulatory framework and faster approvals for cell and gene therapies; and make them accessible and affordable nationwide through subsidies, tax benefits and inclusion in public health schemes.
“The government should consider increased allocations for R&D and encouraging PPPs”, he said.
Sudarshan Jain, Secretary General of the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance, suggested that the Union Budget allocate at least '10% of the National Research Fund to life sciences', reinstate 200% weighted deductions for R&D expenditure, and expand the patent box regime to include income from patents abroad.
“Removing Section 194R related to marketing samples would ease business operations”, he said. The said applies to sellers giving incentives, other than discounts or rebates, in cash or kind, and medical samples to medical practitioners.
Dr Rakesh Gupta, Chairman- Sarvodaya Healthcare suggested that the budget should focus on building a resilient and inclusive healthcare ecosystem. “Investments in emerging trends like Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM), AI-powered diagnostics, and digital therapeutics (DTx) are crucial to address the dual challenges of accessibility and affordability”, he said.
Abhay Soi, President, NATHEALTH and Chairman and Managing Director, Max Healthcare Institute Limited, said that the budget was coming at a defining crossroads of complex challenges and transformative opportunities. He said it was a chance to “address systemic gaps such as the acute shortage of medical specialists, escalating cancer care costs, and inadequate hospital infrastructure…”
