New tax on more than 200 medical devices expected to raise health care costs
KARACHI: The federal government has imposed a sales tax on more than 200 medical devices, including angiography and angioplasty equipment, as well as diagnostic kits for various diseases. T The move, part of the 2024-25 fiscal budget, is expected to significantly affect the affordability of healthcare for poor patients. For the first time, Pakistan imposes a tax on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Imposing this sales tax would increase the cost of diagnosis and treatment by 25% to 30%. This tax will also severely affect public hospital budgets, leading to a marked reduction in routine procedures, angiograms and angioplasty.


