The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) has welcomed the historic GST 2.0 reform, calling it a landmark step toward affordable and accessible healthcare for millions of Indians. The organisation expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India for the initiative.
Under the new reform, GST on medicines has been reduced from 12% and 18% to 5%, while cancer and other life-saving drugs have been made completely tax-free. AIOCD described the move as a reflection of the government’s commitment to patient welfare and equitable access to essential medicines.
AIOCD President J. S. Shinde and General Secretary Rajiv Singhal said the organisation fully supports the reform and will ensure its smooth implementation across the country. They emphasized that chemists would pass on the benefits directly to patients, reaffirming the group’s motto: “Patients First & Always.”
To facilitate the transition, AIOCD has launched a nationwide awareness campaign, distributing informational materials and posters in pharmacies. The organisation is coordinating closely with pharmaceutical companies, software vendors, and state associations and providing guidance to members on managing both old and new MRPs during the GST adjustment period.
AIOCD has also urged the government to allow refund or adjustment of Input Tax Credit on old stock to ease cash flow burdens and requested a 90–120 day protection period during the transition to prevent penal action for inadvertent errors.
With over 1.25 million chemists serving 1.4 billion citizens daily, AIOCD pledged to work closely with the government to ensure that the GST 2.0 reforms translate into real benefits for patients across India.