3,000 more medicine in line for GST exemption

BALIK PULAU: The Health Ministry has identified another 3,000 medicines to be exempted from the just implemented Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Hilmi Yahya said an application will be made to the Finance Ministry for further action.
He said this meant that there would be a total of 7,200 medicines which would be GST exempt if approved.
He also said the ministry has identified 25,000 types of medical equipment, mostly consumables like syringes and tubes, to be made GST exempt.
“These are the medicines and items which the ministry is asking to be GST exempt,” he said in a press conference today.
On specialists charging GST in private hospitals, Hilmi said the ministry was working on resolving the issue.
He said a proposal had been made to have specialist fees exempted from GST so there would be no confusion.
“We are working on making specialist fees GST exempt,” he said before a technical visit to the Teluk Bahang national park here.
The Balik Pulau MP had earlier noted some RM2.5 million was allocated to upgrade facilities in the park including installing toilets and boardwalks.
“The projects began in November last year and are expected to be completed by this December,” he said, adding that some RM40 million was spent over the past 10 years to enhance the park.