The Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan adopted and sent to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan for signature a new tax code, which provides for a gradual increase in the rate for the social sphere (education, medicine). Thus, within the framework of the tax and budget reform, a reduced VAT rate is established for the sale of medicines, medical products and medical services at the level of 5% from 2026, 10% from 2027.
Deputy Askhat Aimagambetov notes that thanks to the initiatives of the elected representatives, a number of important changes have been adopted in the Tax Code:
"1. Socially significant medicines are exempt from VAT. Now, a 0% VAT rate will be applied to medicines intended for the treatment of socially significant diseases. This prevents the rise in price of the most essential medicines.
An important step to ensure that prices do not rise, for example, for drugs for the treatment of cancer, orphan diseases, mental illnesses, diabetes, rare or autoimmune diseases and many other diseases on the Government list.
2. Socially significant medical services are also exempt from VAT.
What does this mean? We often make an appointment with a doctor and, due to problems with the compulsory medical insurance, we are often forced to pay for them out of our own pocket. If this initiative had not passed, services in all areas could have become more expensive. Now, for those who suffer from socially significant diseases on a special list, these services will not become more expensive due to taxes. I will not hide the fact that initially we proposed a complete exemption from VAT for all medical services and all medicines. This solution would have been more effective. However, in the end, we came to a compromise solution.
3. All medical services and medicines within the framework of the State Fund for Free Medical Care and the Compulsory Medical Insurance are also completely exempt from VAT.
4. The tax on other medicines not included in the social list allows us to answer the question of how much they were purchased for when imported into the country and how expensive they are sold for.
The Ministry of Health will now be able to see these prices and prevent them from being overpriced. Because we don't see this now, and it's difficult to control these prices. I think it will also be useful from this point of view - it will help control the prices of medicines," the deputy is sure.
Источник: Казахстанский Фармацевтический Вестник, pharmnews.kz
Deputy Askhat Aimagambetov notes that thanks to the initiatives of the elected representatives, a number of important changes have been adopted in the Tax Code:
"1. Socially significant medicines are exempt from VAT. Now, a 0% VAT rate will be applied to medicines intended for the treatment of socially significant diseases. This prevents the rise in price of the most essential medicines.
An important step to ensure that prices do not rise, for example, for drugs for the treatment of cancer, orphan diseases, mental illnesses, diabetes, rare or autoimmune diseases and many other diseases on the Government list.
2. Socially significant medical services are also exempt from VAT.
What does this mean? We often make an appointment with a doctor and, due to problems with the compulsory medical insurance, we are often forced to pay for them out of our own pocket. If this initiative had not passed, services in all areas could have become more expensive. Now, for those who suffer from socially significant diseases on a special list, these services will not become more expensive due to taxes. I will not hide the fact that initially we proposed a complete exemption from VAT for all medical services and all medicines. This solution would have been more effective. However, in the end, we came to a compromise solution.
3. All medical services and medicines within the framework of the State Fund for Free Medical Care and the Compulsory Medical Insurance are also completely exempt from VAT.
4. The tax on other medicines not included in the social list allows us to answer the question of how much they were purchased for when imported into the country and how expensive they are sold for.
The Ministry of Health will now be able to see these prices and prevent them from being overpriced. Because we don't see this now, and it's difficult to control these prices. I think it will also be useful from this point of view - it will help control the prices of medicines," the deputy is sure.
Источник: Казахстанский Фармацевтический Вестник, pharmnews.kz
