The Delhi High Court has allowed duty free import of Amphotericin-B drug used for treating mucormycosis, commonly known as black fungus.
The Delhi High Court said that importers can import the drug after furnishing a bond, till the time the Centre takes a decision on waiving customs duty on it.
The Delhi HC observed that the Cent observed that the Centre should seriously consider waiving customs duty on the live-saving Amphotericin-B drug.
“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.
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“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 added.
Notably, while there is a shortage in supply of Amphotericin-B drug, black fungus cases are on the rise in the country.
As India grapples with the second wave of the COVID-19, rising cases of mucormycosis or black fungus infection are becoming worrisome.
Mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, is caused by a group of mould called mucormycetes.
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These fungi live in the environment, particularly in soil and in decaying organic matter, such as leaves, compost piles, or rotten wood, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
When someone breathes these fungal spores, they are likely to get the infection that commonly affects the sinuses or lungs.