Drug taxes to be covered under MRP: No tax on cancer, HIV/AIDS drus

[Guest guest]

Drug taxes to be covered under MRP, no tax on cancer, HIV/AIDS

Feb. 12, 2006

To ensure reasonable prices of drugs and their easy availability,

the Government on Saturday suggested that the Maximum Retail Price

(MRP)should factor in all taxes and the drug's name be displayed on

its packaging in both English and Hindi, besides proposing that

medicines for cancer and HIV /AIDS be exempted from levies.

" Drugs, which are not under price control and are sold at high

margins are unaffordable to the masses, have to follow the MRP.

Nobody should charge more than the MRP from April 1, 2006, " Union

Chemical and Fertilisers Minister Ram Vilas Paswan told reporters

after the first meeting of Pharmaceutical Advisory Forum.

" State authorities have promised to levy zero tax on cancer and HIV drugs if

Centre does so, " he added.

http://www.indiadaily.com/breaking_news/60119.asp