Question : UNIFORM RATE OF DRUGS



(a) whether it is a fact that the Union Government has decided to have a uniform rate of drugs inclusive of the local taxes printed on the medicine packs for the benefit of the consumers;

(b) if so, the facts thereof;

(c) whether it is a fact that the rate of local taxes vary from State to State and the manner in which the Government propose to resolve this issue in consultation with the State Governments;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether it was also decided to print the price of the drugs and the sales tax to be charged thereon separately on the pack in view of the varying rates of the taxes;

(f) if so, the detail thereof; (g) whether any final decision has been taken to resolve the issues related to non inclusion of local levies in the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) for medicines; and
(h) if so, the detail thereof?

Answer given by the minister


THE MINISTER OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SHRI SUKHDEV SINGH DHINDSA)



(a) to (h):A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (h) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 108 FOR ANSWER ON 09-12-2003 REGARDING UNIFORM RATE OF DRUGS.



(a) : No, Sir.

(b)In view of reply to (a) above, does not arise.

(c) & (d:The rates of local taxes vary from State to State. There is no proposal to equalize the rate of each local tax in all the States.

(e) :No, Sir.


(f) :In view of reply to (e) above, does not arise.


(g) :No, Sir.

(h) :In view of reply to (g) above, does not arise.