HC orders GST-waiver on expensive drug
Kochi: The high court has issued a directive to waive the Goods and Services Tax (GST) for the mother of a three-year-old child, who is afflicted with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), on an imported drug used for treating the condition. This medication, priced at Rs 6.07 lakh per bottle, is essential for the child’s treatment.
The petitioner, a native of Mavelikkara, approached the high court seeking exemption from paying the 12% GST (Rs 65,000) per bottle of ‘Risdiplam’, a drug imported from Switzerland
The petitioner stated that, based on her doctor’s advice, she had to purchase the medicine to save her child’s life. Her son required several bottles of Risdiplam, and the price was unbearable for an ordinary citizen like the petitioner. Therefore, she submitted a representation to the Union finance minister, requesting exemption from GST on Risdiplam, so that the waived amount could be utilized for her and her son’s basic needs.
Although the Union finance minister has the authority to grant an exemption, no exemption has been granted yet. Hence, the petitioner approached the high court seeking a directive to the Union finance minister to pass orders declaring her eligible for GST exemption on Risdiplam, both for amounts already paid and payable in the future. Additionally, she sought a directive to the GST department in Kerala to refund the GST already paid by her on the purchase of the drug.
