Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has finalised the Executive Order Harmonised Implementation Framework that abolishes Value Added Tax (VAT), and Excise Duties on pharmaceutical products and medical devices.

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, told journalists in Abuja yesterday that the development, which has been cleared for gazetting, was expected to enhance the operational capacity of local pharmaceutical manufacturers and reduce the prices of essential healthcare supplies.

It allows the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Nigeria Customs Service to implement VAT and excise duties exemptions on healthcare items, and would alleviate the financial burden on Nigerians reliant on critical health supplies.

The Minister of State for Health promised to send copies of the framework to relevant agencies for prompt action, signaling a concerted effort to improve healthcare delivery across Nigeria.