Working to get generic drugs exempt from GST: Ananth Kumar

As pharmaceutical firms prepare themselves to implement GST from July 1

Even as pharmaceutical companies prepare themselves to come under the GST ambit from July 1, Pharmaceuticals Minister Ananth Kumar on Tuesday said the Department of Pharmaceuticals was trying to get generic medicines exempt from GST. These are the drugs sold at Janaushadhi stores, which provide affordable medicines for all under the government's flagship scheme.
 

The minister said, “We are trying to get generic medicines exempt from GST or at least bare minimum.”At present, the government has levied 12% GST on all drugs except essential ones which are in the 5% bracket. The pharmaceutical industry had been lobbying for a lower