GST relief from tomorrow: Medicine prices to come down

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Starting tomorrow, patients who depend on long-term medicines for cancer, haemophilia, neurological conditions, and various lifestyle diseases will benefit from a price cut. The central government’s decision to reduce GST on such medicines from 12% to 5% will take effect.

For patients with cancer, haemophilia, spinal muscular atrophy, and severe lung diseases, the benefit is even higher, as GST has been fully removed on 34 essential drugs.

• For liver cancer, the price of Alectinib tablets, which used to be Rs 1.20 lakh per week, will now be Rs 1.06 lakh after GST removal — a reduction of Rs 14,471. One pack contains 56 tablets, and patients must take 8 tablets daily at six-hour intervals.
• For haemophilia patients, the injection Emicizumab, priced at Rs 2.94 lakh, will drop by Rs 35,300 and be available at Rs 2.59 lakh. This is the price for one dose. At least one dose is required each month, and more if bleeding is severe.
• For spinal muscular atrophy patients, Risdiplam powder, which costs Rs 6.09 lakh, will now be Rs 5.36 lakh — a saving of Rs 73,000. One dose is needed every month.
• For severe lung disease, the injection Mepolizumab, earlier priced at Rs 79,853, will now cost Rs 70,000.

No change for Insulin

• Insulin will continue at the existing 5% GST.
• For diabetes medicines other than insulin, GST has been reduced from 12% to 5%. Common tablets include glimepiride and metformin.
• Medicines for blood pressure, cholesterol, nerve, and neurological diseases also fall under the 5% GST rate.
• GST on equipment like BP apparatus and glucometers is also reduced to 5%.

Prices must be reduced by 7%

Currently, most medicines in the market carry 12% GST. From tomorrow, they cannot be sold at the old rate. Prices must be reduced by 7% from the MRP. The central government has instructed that no corrections or sticker changes should be made on old stock until December 31 this year. Even if consumers buy from the old stock, they must still receive the same price reduction until the new stock with 5% GST arrives.

Removing GST entirely on all essential medicines for cancer and organ transplant patients would provide even greater relief for common people.

— Biju A,

Chief Pharmacist,

Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram