Zero VAT on HRT would improve equality of access for women – Higgins

Removing VAT from Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) would help to improve equality of access to the much-needed products for women across the country, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Deputy Higgins was speaking after the publication of the Department of Finance Tax Strategy Group Papers today (Wednesday), which includes an option to remove VAT from non-oral medicines which could include HRT products, according to the TD.

Deputy Higgins said, “Removing VAT from HRT would help to improve equality of access to these very necessary products for women across the country.

“Currently a zero VAT rate is applied to oral medicines in Ireland. AN EU VAT Directive of April 2022 allows Member States increased flexibility in how they apply VAT rates, and the Tax Strategy Group’s report published today highlights the option for Government to expand the zero rate that applies to oral medicines to cover non oral medicines.

“The report states that this would include in injections, infusions, liniments, ointments and transdermal patches; and so could cover HRT patches and gels.

“I strongly urge the Government to remove VAT from HRT in the upcoming Budget. This would be very much in line with the overall Government policy to reduce the cost of medicines and would be a great boost for women who depend on HRT, for many of whom the cost is prohibitive.

“Access to HRT is of course another significant challenge for women. I recently raised the issue of access to HRT given the global supply issues in the Dáil, and the Taoiseach gave me a direct commitment that Government will do all it possibly can to secure additional supplies”, concluded Deputy Higgins.