Government exempts import tax for essential medicines in the treatment of cancer

The Executive Management Committee of the Chamber of Foreign Commerce (Gecex-Camex) exempted 13 products from import tax, such as cancer medicines, inputs for medical gloves, wind blades and tires. The decision aims to meet the internal demand for medicines with low production in Brazil. Aiming to strengthen local production, labor and labor in the country, the Committee decided to increase tariffs on glass inputs and photovoltaic cells.

Rate reset

On Monday (11), the Executive Management Committee of the Chamber of Foreign Commerce (Gecex-Camex) announced zero import tax on 13 products used to combat prostate cancer and other types of cancer in the country. The measure also covers other products, such as essential inputs in the manufacture of medical gloves, tires, wind blades, films for x-rays, agricultural pesticides and hydrogel contact lenses, for which tariffs previously varied between 3.6% and 18%. For the Ministry of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services (Mdic), the decision consisted of meeting the internal demand for these products, considering the scarcity of production in the national territory.

_{Blue November Campaign against prostate cancer (Photo: reproduction/Government of São Paulo)}

Prostate cancer

This month we are participating in the “Blue November” campaign, which promotes awareness of illnesses that affect men's health, paying special attention to prostate cancer, currently in Brazil, around 72 million men are diagnosed with the disease. The Brazilian Society of Urology (SBU) reports that 17 thousand deaths were registered in 2023. In line with this, the National Cancer Institute (INCA) stated that prostate cancer is in second place in the ranking of the most detected cancer among men in the world. Brazil.

Ex-tariffs

Additionally, Gecex-Camex granted ex-tariffs for 226 NCM (Common Mercosur Nomenclature) codes for capital goods (BK) products and 202 items from the Auto Parts Regime Not Produced in Brazil. This measure aims to reduce import tariffs on products that do not have equivalent production in the country.

Increased rate

In addition to the exemptions, the committee approved a 25% increase in tariffs for glass inputs intended for industrial purposes and photovoltaic cells, used in the production of solar panels. This increase aims to “strengthen local production and generate jobs in Brazil”as reported by Camex.

The resolution will be widely published in the Official Gazette of the Union soon.

Featured Photo: tablets are displayed one on top of the other (Reproduction/JOEL SAGET/AFP/Getty Images Embed)