Reprieve for patients as state removes tax on key costly drugs

Doctors and Nurses at Nairobi Women's Hospital. The cost of healthcare is driven up by drugs, which constitute about 40 per cent of a patient’s bill. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Patients suffering from lifestyles diseases should start enjoying cheaper drugs after the Government removed value-added tax (VAT) charged on four medicaments.

Through the Finance Act 2018, drugs containing substances used to treat high blood pressure, asthma, obesity, colds and allergies have been added into the zero-rating schedule.