E-DRUG: Import tariffs on medicines (3)
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Many countries also have value added tax, VAT, on medicines. Norway has 25%
VAT, in addition to a 0.55% special tax on medicines. Our neighbouring
country Sweden has zero VAT on medicines.
For medicines paid by the state, this is just bureaucratic money moving. In
Scandinavia a large proportion of medicines are reimbursed by the state, or
used by stately owned hospitals.
For patients who pay their own medication (directly or by insurance) these
taxes and tariffs indeed are tax on illness.
Stein Lyftingsmo
Hospital Pharmacy of Elverum, Norway
stein@lyftingsmo.no