Apex industry body ASSOCHAM has urged the Centre to reduce the tariff imposed on nutritional foods that are essential for cancer and renal diseases management as the Government readies itself to prepare Union Budget 2015-16.
“There is a need to relook at the duties being currently levied on imported products which are able to provide high quality nutrition (which are highly recommended by healthcare professionals) as an early and intensive nutrition intervention is beneficial for both diseases,” highlighted The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) in a communication addressed to Mr Amitabh Kant, secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP).
As per the current import duty structure for nutritional food products beneficial for both these disease, there is basic customs duty (BCD) of 30 per cent and a countervailing duty (CVD) of 12.36 per cent.
Besides, CVD of 12.36 per cent is also levied on domestic manufacturers, hence, the BCD is additional for importers.
“If both BCD and CVD can be made nil (zero per cent), it will benefit hundreds of thousands of families from lower cost of providing nutritional food to patients who already suffer from high cost of medicines for these diseases,” said Mr D.S. Rawat, secretary general of ASSOCHAM.
“Even the customs duties on similar products in countries like Singapore and Vietnam is nil (zero per cent) and as low as five per cent respectively,” said Mr Rawat.
Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is the most common secondary diagnosis in individuals diagnosed with cancer, starting from inadequate intake of carbohydrate, protein and fat to the reduced absorption of macronutrients.
While patients with renal failure represent an extremely heterogeneous group, whose nutritional requirements can therefore differ widely as such PEM is very common amid kidney patients that negatively impacts prognosis.
ProSure is a therapeutic nutritional food product scientifically formulated to address nutritional needs of people suffering from cancer-induced weight loss or who are at risk of developing this complication.
Various clinical studies have demonstrated that drinking ProSure daily as part of an overall cancer plan – promotes weight gain; helps build/maintain lean body mass; improves physical activity, quality of life, appetite and dietary intake; increases strength and attenuates pro-inflammatory response.
Nepro LP is a product for patients suffering from chronic kidney disease and Nepro HP is for patients on dialysis. “Clinicians prescribe these products due to benefit features like good quality protein, high quantity monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), presence of modified maltodextrin (Fibersol), low electrolytes and calorie density (more calories in less volume).
It is estimated that about 80,000 new cases of cancer will be seen by 2020 in India. While the current prevalence of kidney diseases is about 17 per cent in the country.
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