The drugs whose tax has been increased

(Credit: ST/File)

HEALTH

In a bid to support local phamarceutical manufacturers, the ministry of health has increased tax levied on selected imported drugs, including Paracetamol.

"Supporting domestic production of human and veterinary medicines and health care products will reduce reliance on imports, and contribute towards national, development aspirations of industrialization," said state health minister Sarah Opendi in a missive Monday.

The tax increase on 37 medicines will take effect starting August 1 this year.

The said drugs include, among others, Paracetamol, Amoxillin, Albendazole, Dextrose Infusion and Oral Rehydration Salts.

The decision was reached following a health ministry and National Drug Authority's "assessment of the domestic manufacturers' capacity to sufficiently meet the demand for the 37 selected medicines".

Here is a list of the affected medicines: