For years, people with diabetes in India have had a quiet complaint: “Why does staying healthy feel so expensive?” Every box of glucometer strips, every CGM sensor — it all adds up, month after month.
Now, there’s some relief. The government has cut GST on diabetes monitoring devices from 12–18% down to just 5%. On paper, it looks like a simple tax tweak. But could it actually change how people test their sugar?
Let’s unpack this.
India has nearly 100 million people living with diabetes. Yet, according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), only 7% of adults with diabetes have their blood sugar under control, while just 21.5% are on treatment.
Why the gap? Testing is one piece of the puzzle. Regular checks with a blood sugar machine or a CGM device are essential to spot spikes and dips early. But cost often gets in the way. Families ration strips. Many avoid trying CGMs at all.
So, when GST drops, prices drop too. And that’s where things get interesting.
1. Relief for the healthcare system
More affordable testing means people are more likely to check regularly. Early detection of rising sugars reduces hospital visits for complications like kidney damage or vision loss. For a country where healthcare systems are already stretched, this could mean significant savings in the long run.
2. Breaking the behavioral barrier
Cost isn’t just a number on a bill. It’s psychological. When strips feel expensive, people delay or skip checks. Lower GST reduces that mental barrier. Testing starts to feel routine, not like a luxury. Devices like the BeatO glucometer, which auto-logs readings on your phone, or the BeatO CGM, which quietly tracks sugar in the background, become easier to use consistently when cost feels manageable.
3. Greater access beyond metros
Diabetes is rising fastest in Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns. Here, every rupee matters. A GST cut makes glucometer strips and CGM devices more accessible, helping families who otherwise struggle to keep up. Lower cost = wider reach.
4. Easing the family budget
Diabetes often runs in families, doubling or tripling monthly costs. Two people testing four times a day means 240 strips a month. Pre-GST: about ₹3,600. Post-GST: closer to ₹3,300. That’s ₹200–300 saved monthly, or up to ₹3,000 a year.
CGM users benefit too. A sensor that cost ₹3,400 now comes down to about ₹3,025. Using two sensors a month means ₹750 saved. For families, these savings add up quickly.
The numbers at a glance
The numbers below are illustrative estimates to show how the tax cut can change monthly costs. Actual prices vary by brand, MRP updates, discounts, and availability.
| User type | Usage pattern | Pre GST cost (older 12 to 18 percent range) | Post GST cost at 5 percent | Approx monthly savings |
| Moderate glucometer user | 4 tests per day = 120 strips per month. Example strip price ~ ₹15 per strip previously. | ~ ₹1,800 per month | ~ ₹1,650 to ₹1,700 per month | ~ ₹100 to ₹150 |
| Heavy glucometer user | 8 tests per day = 240 strips per month | ~ ₹3,600 per month | ~ ₹3,300 to ₹3,400 per month | ~ ₹200 to ₹300 |
| CGM user | 2 sensors per month. Example sensor earlier at ₹3,400 each (MRP with higher GST). | ~ ₹6,800 per month | ~ ₹6,050 per month | ~ ₹750 |
| CGM user premium range | 2 sensors per month. Example sensor earlier at ₹4,600 each. | ~ ₹9,200 per month | ~ ₹8,186 per month | ~ ₹1,014 |
On the surface, a GST cut looks like a small accounting change. In reality, it chips away at one of the biggest barriers to good diabetes management: affordability.
It encourages people to test more often. It eases the financial pressure on families. It helps smaller towns access better care. And it lightens the load on India’s healthcare system.Bottom line: Consistent testing just got easier to afford. And in diabetes management, consistency is everything.
If this piece helped you see why the GST cut matters for diabetes management, share it with your circle — on WhatsApp, LinkedIn, or X. Who knows, you might just help someone save money and stay healthier.