Sindh slaps huge tax on medicines, medical devices

The Sindh government has introduced a sales tax on herbal, Unani, and homeopathic medicines, as well as medical devices, significantly raising the prices of essential healthcare products.

This decision has sparked strong reactions from Karachi residents already struggling with high inflation and economic difficulties.

The new tax impacts approximately 200 medical supplies and devices, including thermometers, sugar strips, blood pressure monitors, surgical gloves, and wheelchairs.

Abdul Samad Badhani, vice chairman of the Pakistan Chemist and Drug Association, has warned that the cost of herbal medicines will rise sharply, putting further strain on household budgets.

"Inflation has already made it difficult to live. Now medicines will also be out of reach," lamented a Karachi resident. Shopkeepers share this concern, anticipating a sharp decline in sales as customers find these essential items increasingly unaffordable.

The tax has led to immediate price hikes: a packet of ordinary sugar checking strips has surged from Rs700 to Rs1,000 in the wholesale market, and wheelchairs, previously priced at Rs13,000, now cost Rs17,500. The cost of other home medical devices, including blood pressure monitors, has also doubled, putting them beyond the reach of many ordinary citizens.

Healthcare professionals are deeply concerned about the repercussions. "The common man will be directly affected by the sales tax," said a local doctor. With 95% of medical devices being imported, the added costs will inevitably be passed on to consumers, making treatment more expensive and less accessible.

Masood Ahmed, chairman of the Healthcare Devices Association of Pakistan, highlighted the dependency on imported medical devices, exacerbating the issue. "The cost of the devices will make treatment more expensive," he stated, underscoring the challenges that lie ahead for both healthcare providers and patients.