Tax cuts on medical equipment set to reduce healthcare costs

The government has proposed a series of tax and duty exemptions in the 2026-27 budget aimed at reducing healthcare costs for patients and strengthening the country’s medical and pharmaceutical sectors, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said in Parliament on Thursday.

Under the proposals, VAT and duties on dialysis filters, heart stents, intraocular lenses and selected medical equipment, as well as raw materials for the pharmaceutical industry, will be reduced or withdrawn, which is expected to significantly lower treatment costs.

According to estimates, dialysis costs could fall by around Tk 800 per session, while heart stents may become cheaper by up to Tk 20,000 each. The cost of eye lenses could also drop by about Tk 5,000.

The budget also proposes duty exemptions on 77 essential pharmaceutical raw materials to boost local drug production and export competitiveness. In addition, 21 types of assistive devices for persons with disabilities will be fully exempted from taxes and duties, aimed at improving accessibility and inclusion.

TZ