What Types of Orphan Drugs are Subject to Import Tax?

The healthcare industry is one of the target industries of MICE. Medical trade shows often attract a lot of attention. The importation of various drugs from abroad must be properly authorized according to regulations, both for display and actual use. We have some insights to share on the importation of ‘orphan drugs’

Orphan Drugs and Importation

• Orphan drugs are necessary for diagnosing, alleviating, treating, preventing, or curing rare diseases, serious diseases, or diseases that cause continuous disability.
• These drugs have a low usage rate, with no alternative drugs available, and there are issues with shortages.
• Importing orphan drugs as specified by law is exempt from customs duties (except for 11 specific drugs).
• There is a value-added tax (VAT) on imports.
• An import license must be obtained from the Food and Drug Administration prior to importation.

11 Orphan Drugs Not Exempt from Import Tax 

(Announcement by the Ministry of Finance on the Reduction and Exemption of Customs Duties under Section 12 of the Customs Tariff Decree B.E. 2530 (No. 2)

1. Benzatropine mesilate
2. Hydrocortisone
3. Ivermectin
4. Methylene blue
5. Permethrin
6. Sodium calcium edetate
7. Sodium nitrite
8. Sodium thiosulfate 25%
9. Antivenom sera

• Malayan Pit Viper antivenin
• Banded Krait antivenin
• Cobra antivenin
• King Cobra antivenin
• Russell’s Viper antivenin
• Green Pit Viper antivenin
• Malayan Krait antivenin

10. Polyvalent antivenom for hemato

11. Polyvalent antivenom for neurotoxin

For more detail: Thai Customs

Source : Thai Customs

Photo: frimufilms