Customs duty exemptions on three life-saving drugs restored

摘要

Facing flak for withdrawing customs duty concessions on life-saving drugs, the Finance Ministry has restored exemptions on three drugs, used to treat hormonal disorder, growth failure and haemophilia. The Central Board of Excise and Customs issued a notification to include three drugs - octreotide, so-matropin and anti-haemophilic factor concentrate (VIII and IX) - for exemption from customs duty. The decision is understood to have come after consultations with the Ministry of Health and the Departments of Pharmaceuticals and Revenue, following an intervention by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).