Waiver for rare disease drugs brings little relief: Pharma sector

Industry bats for extending exemption to drugs that are already commercially available in India

India’s pharma sector on Wednesday said the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council’s decision to exempt tax on rare diseases drugs is unlikely to benefit the population unless the waiver is extended to drugs that are made commercially available in the country.

The GST Council on Tuesday said the Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) on medicines and Food for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP) used for treating rare diseases enlisted under the National Policy for Rare Diseases, 2021, will be exempt when imported for personal use subject to existing conditions.

“We support the government’s move to address the needs of