Import taxes withdrawn from dengue test kits, reagents

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has withdrawn till October 31 all the taxes previously imposed on importing dengue fever detection kits and reagents.

The decision was made in a bid to make the diagnostic tests of the disease available to the patients at low expenses, according to a press release of the NBR issued today.

The taxes -- import tax, value added tax, advance tax and advance income tax -- previously imposed on the import of dengue test kits, dengue reagents, and test kits for platelet and plasma have been withdrawn till October 31, the release read.  

The facilities will be applicable for the aforementioned products in quantities approved by the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA), the release also read.

The DGDA will also monitor the quality of the imported products, it added.