Written questions

Drugs: VAT

Commons · Question 18477 · Tabled 13 Jul 2026 · Treasury · Official record

Answered 16 Jul 2026

Question

Asked by Joshua Reynolds

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to which categories of medicines supplied free of charge HM Revenue and Customs has applied VAT, and for which periods assessments have been issued.

Answer

Answered by Dan Tomlinson, 16 Jul 2026

Under UK VAT law, some transactions where no money changes hands are treated as if a supply has been made - these are called deemed supplies. This is to keep the system fair if a business has reclaimed VAT on costs. This is a core and longstanding feature...