More sops for AIDS drugs sought

New Delhi: The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals has sought tax exemption from the Department of Customs and Excise on a large number of anti-AIDS drugs. These benefits are mostly sought for pharmaceutical companies to produce second line of drugs for AIDS.

As of now many AIDS medicines selectively enjoy exemption from customs duty as well as from additional duty. A number of drugs enjoy excise exemption also.

Now the 'department has recommended that some more anti-AIDS medicaments, particularly bulk drugs and formulations, should also be exempted from customs and central excise, so that these medicaments could be made available to the patients at a cheaper price,' the Minister of State for Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Mr B.K. Handique, informed Parliament on Friday.