Petition Zero Rate VAT on Medicines

The Treasury should Zero Rate VAT on all medicines.

Currently all medicines purchased over the counter are subject to 20% VAT. FP-10 Prescriptions are exempt from VAT, as are private prescriptions. However NHS hospitals also have to pay VAT on all their medicines.

Zero Rating would:
- Reduce the cost of self medication, encouraging patients not to use their GP when it is not necessary.
- Reduce administrative burden for community pharmacies (and the Treasury) who have to reclaim VAT.
- Reduce drug costs to NHS Hospitals by 20%, allowing NHS hospitals to compete with independant providers who do not have to pay VAT.