COVID-19: Centre mulls GST waiver on vaccines to lower prices
Currently, COVID-19 vaccines require 5% GST
To avoid tax, approval from the GST council is necessary
Import duty on pharmaceutical raw materials has been waived
Covishield is being sold to state governments at Rs 300 per dose
Private hospitals pay Rs 600 for a dose of Covishield
Covaxin is given to state governments at Rs 400 per dose
A single dose of Covaxin costs Rs 1,200 for private hospitals
The government has intervened with Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech to reduce the prices
The lower the GST, the cheaper the vaccine prices will be
