Medical Oncologist
Biologics cost and access
Biosimilar Cancer Drugs: — Cost, Schemes and Access in India
CDSCO-approved biosimilars for trastuzumab, bevacizumab and rituximab cost substantially less than the originator brands. Government schemes and hospital counsellors can reduce your out-of-pocket cost further — in many cases to zero.
Medically reviewed by Dr. T. Raghavender Reddy, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · DM (Medical Oncology) · MD (Radiation Oncology) · Last reviewed August 2026
- A fraction of the originator cost — CDSCO-approved biosimilars for these three drugs are available at significantly lower prices than the reference brands.
- Government schemes can cover it — PM-JAY, Aarogyasri and YSR Aarogyasri can cover listed treatments in full at empanelled hospitals.
- Same treatment standard — CDSCO approval means a biosimilar has demonstrated comparable safety and efficacy to the originator before it reaches patients.
- Ask for a counsellor first — A financial counsellor can check your scheme eligibility and identify the lowest-cost procurement route before your first dose.
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CDSCO-approved biosimilars for trastuzumab, bevacizumab and rituximab are available in India at roughly one-third to one-half the cost of the originator brands. Several government schemes, including PM-JAY and state programmes such as Aarogyasri and YSR Aarogyasri, cover these medicines at empanelled hospitals. A hospital counsellor can check your scheme eligibility before your first dose.
What do these drugs cost in India? Indicative figures, 2024–25
| Drug (vial size) | Originator — indicative range per vial (₹) | Biosimilar — indicative range per vial (₹) | Schemes that may cover it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trastuzumab 440 mg | ₹50,000–75,000 | ₹10,000–28,000 | PM-JAY, Aarogyasri, YSR Aarogyasri, CGHS, ECHS |
| Bevacizumab 400 mg | ₹30,000–55,000 | ₹8,000–20,000 | PM-JAY, Aarogyasri, YSR Aarogyasri, CGHS |
| Rituximab 500 mg | ₹25,000–45,000 | ₹7,000–15,000 | PM-JAY, Aarogyasri, YSR Aarogyasri, CGHS |
Is a biosimilar as safe and effective as the original medicine?
Yes — a biosimilar approved by CDSCO has demonstrated comparable quality, safety and efficacy to the reference medicine through a defined regulatory process.
The active molecule is the same biological substance. The manufacturing process differs between companies, but CDSCO requires the biosimilar maker to show the differences do not affect clinical outcomes.
If your oncologist has chosen a biosimilar for you, it is because it meets the same treatment standard — not because it is a cheaper substitute.
Which government scheme might cover your treatment?
| Scheme | Who may qualify | What it may cover | First step |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM-JAY (Ayushman Bharat) | Families on the state beneficiary list — check the PM-JAY app | Listed cancer treatments in full at empanelled hospitals | Show your Ayushman card at the PM-JAY desk before treatment |
| Aarogyasri (Telangana) | Telangana residents with a white ration card or equivalent | Listed oncology procedures and day-care treatments in full | Aarogyasri help desk at your empanelled hospital |
| YSR Aarogyasri (Andhra Pradesh) | AP residents with a valid AP Health card | Listed cancer treatment procedures at empanelled hospitals | YSRAAROGYASRI.AP.GOV.IN or the hospital help desk |
| CGHS | Central government employees, pensioners and dependants | Biosimilars at CGHS rates for listed indications | CGHS referral from your dispensary |
| ECHS | Ex-servicemen and their dependants with an ECHS card | Biologics at ECHS-empanelled hospitals | ECHS referral from your polyclinic |
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Dr. C. Raghavendra Reddy
MBBS(Gold Medal), DNB(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Gold Medal)
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Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla
MBBS, MD(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Adyar,Chennai), ECMO, MRCP SCE(UK)
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Dr. Owais Mohammed
MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DrNB (Medical Oncology), ECMO, MRCP SCE (Medical Oncology) (UK)
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Dr. Muralidhar Muddusetty
MBBS (AIIMS), MS (Surgery) (AIIMS), DNB (Surgical Oncology), MRCS (Edinburgh)
Surgical Oncologist
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Dr. Vinay Mamidala
MBBS, MS(General Surgery), M.Ch(Surgical Oncology), FMAS, FARIS(Ongoing)
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Radiation Oncologist
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Dr. Mohammed Imran
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Dr. Vajja Sandeep Kumar
MBBS, MS (General Surgery), DrNB (Surgical Oncology), FALS Oncology
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How do you access a biosimilar at CION?
Your oncologist specifies the treatment
If a biosimilar is clinically appropriate, your oncologist will include it in the treatment plan along with the dose and schedule.
A financial counsellor checks your schemes
Before your first dose, ask to see a financial counsellor. They will check PM-JAY, Aarogyasri, YSR Aarogyasri, CGHS and ECHS eligibility against the drugs in your plan.
The counsellor identifies the lowest-cost route
If a scheme applies, the counsellor coordinates procurement through it. If none applies, they can advise on the most affordable available route and check manufacturer assistance programmes.
Treatment is given as day care
Trastuzumab, bevacizumab and rituximab infusions are administered as day care at CION. You do not need to be admitted overnight for the infusion itself.
Scheme paperwork is handled at the centre
If you are on a government scheme, the hospital submits claims on your behalf at most empanelled centres. You do not pay first and claim back.
What can a financial counsellor actually do for you?
A financial counsellor at CION is not a billing officer. Their job is to find every scheme and support channel that applies to your situation before money becomes a barrier to treatment.
They can check your PM-JAY status, confirm Aarogyasri or YSR Aarogyasri eligibility, verify CGHS or ECHS coverage, and escalate to manufacturer patient-assistance programmes if no scheme applies.
Ask for a counsellor at your first appointment. The conversation takes about fifteen minutes and can change what your treatment costs significantly.
Did you know?
India was among the earliest countries globally to make a rituximab biosimilar available to patients — before biosimilars of this drug were approved in the United States or European Union.
That early adoption built the ecosystem of CDSCO-approved biosimilars that now makes several key cancer biologics accessible to far more families across India.
Source: CDSCO Biosimilar Guidelines; published clinical literature on biosimilar adoption in India
Explore 52 more Cost, Access, Trials & Choosing a Hospital topics
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- Hidden Costs Nobody Warns You About in Cancer Treatment
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- Importing a Cancer Drug Not Available in India
- NGOs and Crowdfunding for Cancer Treatment in India
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- Section 80DDB and Tax Deductions for Cancer Treatment
- Total Cost of Care: Targeted Therapy vs Chemotherapy Compared
- What Happens If You Have to Stop Treatment Because of Cost?
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- Phase 1, 2 and 3 Trials: What the Numbers Mean for You
- Risks, Consent and Your Right to Withdraw
- What Happens After a Trial Ends?
- What Is a Clinical Trial and Should You Join One?
- Who Pays for Treatment in a Clinical Trial?
- Will I Get a Placebo Instead of Real Treatment?
Hospital Choice, Second Opinion & Decision Pages
- A Guide for International and NRI Patients Seeking Cancer Care in India
- Day Care Infusion Centres: What to Expect on Infusion Day
- Documents to Bring to Your First Oncology Consultation
- Follow-Up on Oral Targeted Therapy: In Person or Teleconsult?
- Getting a Second Opinion on Your Targeted Therapy Plan
- How a Molecular Tumour Board Reviews Your Case
- How to Choose a Hospital for Targeted Therapy in India
- Medical Oncologist vs Precision Oncology Specialist: Who Do You Need?
- Online and Teleconsultation Second Opinions: How They Work
- Red Flags: Signs Your Cancer Care May Not Be Up to Standard
- Transferring Your Care to Another Hospital Mid-Treatment
- What a Good Second Opinion Actually Checks: A 10-Point Audit
- What a Precision Oncology Program Should Include: A Checklist
- What to Ask Before Committing to a Cancer Treatment Plan
Work, Travel, Legal & Insurance Rights
- Buying Life or Health Insurance After a Cancer Diagnosis
- Can You Keep Working Full Time on Targeted Therapy?
- Disability Certificate for Cancer Patients in India: How to Apply
- Flying With Cancer: Fitness to Fly and Airline Rules
- Making a Will and Organising Documents During Serious Illness
- Managing Fatigue and Meetings: Practical Workday Strategies
- Planning a Holiday Around Your Treatment Schedule
- Returning to Work After a Treatment Break
- Should You Tell Your Employer About Your Cancer Diagnosis?
- Sick Leave and Employment Rights for Cancer Patients in India
- Travel Insurance When You Have Cancer
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Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Is biosimilar trastuzumab the same as Herceptin?
A biosimilar trastuzumab contains the same active biological molecule as Herceptin and has been approved by CDSCO on the basis of comparable safety and efficacy data. It is not chemically identical in the way two tablets of a synthetic drug would be — no two batches of any biological medicine are. But CDSCO approval means it is required to produce the same clinical effect. If your oncologist has prescribed a biosimilar, the treatment standard is the same as with the originator.
How much will a biosimilar cost me after a scheme?
This depends on which scheme you are enrolled in and whether your hospital is empanelled for it. Under PM-JAY, Aarogyasri or YSR Aarogyasri, listed treatments may cost you nothing at an empanelled hospital. Outside a scheme, out-of-pocket costs vary by centre and procurement route. A financial counsellor can give you a figure specific to your treatment plan and scheme status. Ask at your first appointment rather than estimating from general figures online, which may be out of date.
Does PM-JAY cover trastuzumab, bevacizumab or rituximab?
PM-JAY covers a defined list of cancer treatments at empanelled hospitals. Whether your specific drug is covered depends on your indication — the cancer being treated — the centre you attend, and the current scheme list, which is updated periodically. The fastest and most reliable way to confirm is to ask the PM-JAY desk at your hospital before your first dose. Do not rely on general information online, as coverage details change and a drug listed for one indication may not be listed for another.
My family member is on Avastin. Can they switch to a biosimilar bevacizumab?
That is your oncologist's decision. They will weigh the available evidence on mid-treatment switching for your specific situation. In many settings it is routine; in others there may be a clinical reason to continue the same product. If cost is the concern behind the question, say so at your next appointment — it is a legitimate part of the conversation, and your team should be able to address it directly rather than leaving you to manage the cost alone.
Can we switch back to the originator if we are unhappy with the biosimilar?
Switching between a biosimilar and an originator during treatment is a clinical decision, not a purchasing one. Your oncologist should make it, based on a clinical reason — not on cost alone in either direction. If you have a concern about the medicine you are receiving, raise it directly with your oncologist rather than requesting a change at the pharmacy. A clearly stated concern can be properly assessed; a quiet switch cannot.
Are there manufacturer patient-assistance programmes if no government scheme applies?
Some manufacturers of biosimilars and originator medicines run patient-assistance programmes that can reduce or waive the cost for patients who do not qualify for government schemes and cannot afford the treatment. These programmes are not always widely advertised, and eligibility criteria change. A financial counsellor at CION can check what is currently available for your specific drug and help you apply. Ask specifically for this conversation if you believe cost may be a barrier to starting or continuing treatment.