ISLAMABAD, April 7: The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) is set to launch a drive for registration of all retailers, wholesalers and distributors dealing in medicines across the country, informed sources told Dawn.

After being registered as regular sales taxpayers under section 3 of sales tax act 1990, they will be required to file their monthly returns by 15th of each month.

The government had levied 15 per cent general sales tax (GST) on all kinds of imported and locally manufactured drugs, except some life-saving ones.

A CBR official said to give some relief to those dealing in medicines, they would not charge an additional three per cent tax from a retailer, wholesaler or distributor who made a supply to unregistered person.

He said the decision was taken after an amendment in section 3 of the sales tax act 1990, by the sales tax (amendment) ordinance 2002, promulgated on March 21.

Under section 22 of the sales tax act, the retailers, wholesalers and distributors, making taxable supplies of drugs, will now be required to maintain the record of purchase and supply, at their business place or registered offices, for assessment of their tax liabilities.

The sources said, for tax assessment, the record of supplies and purchases should indicate description, quantity and value of goods, name and address of the person to whom supplies were made or received from, and amount of the tax charged.