Fearing a rise in prices of life-saving medicines, the government is reviewing its decision to withdraw customs duty exemption for the import of 74 drugs, including those for treating cancer, AIDS and haemophilia.

A notification issued last week by Central Board of Excise and Customs had announced that customs duty exemption on the import of 74 drugs was withdrawn.

"The matter (of withdrawal of exemption) is being reviewed," sources in the Health Ministry said.

The move is expected to make the treatment of a multitude of diseases costlier, including kidney stones, heart rhythm disorders, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, bone diseases, bacterial infections, anaesthetic medication, allergies, arthritis, lupus, menopause, glaucoma, poisoning by a chemical or pesticide, growth failure in children and ulcerative
colitis.