In an interim relief, the Delhi high court on Thursday allowed duty free import of drug Amphotericin-B, used for treating mucormycosis (also known as black fungus disease) patients, primarily those affected by it after recovering from Covid-19. The court said that the duty free import can be carried out after the importers furnish a bond till the Centre takes a final decision on waiving the customs duty on it.
The high court said the medicine is required to save lives of thousands of people suffering from mucormycosis and the central government shall seriously consider waiver of customs duty till the drug is in short supply in India.
“We direct if any import is made by any person, the same may be cleared by accepting the bond from the importer without actual payment of duty till a final decision on the said aspect is taken,” the bench of justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh said in its order.
“The bond shall have the undertaking that in case the import duty is not waived, the duty shall be paid by the importer,” the order further said.
The judges also said they have been assured that the customs shall clear all consignment of medicines of black fungus without any delay.