Issue
Is the entity, a medical practitioner, making a GST-free supply under section 38-50 of the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (GST Act), when it supplies a drug, which it has imported under the Special Access Scheme, to a patient?
Decision
Yes, the entity is making a GST-free supply under section 38-50 of the GST Act when it supplies a drug, which it has imported under the Special Access Scheme, to a patient.
Facts
The entity is a medical practitioner. The entity supplies a drug, which it has imported under the Special Access Scheme, to a patient. The patient uses the drug for their own personal benefit in the treatment of a serious illness.
The drug is subject to an approval under paragraph 19(1)(a) of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (this is commonly known as the Special Access Scheme).
The entity is registered for goods and services tax (GST).
Reasons for Decision
Section 38-50 of the GST Act outlines the circumstances in which the supply of a drug or medicinal preparation is GST-free. Subsection 38-50(7) of the GST Act, provides that section 38-50 of the GST Act will only apply if: • the drug or medicinal preparation is for human use or consumption; and • the supply is to an individual for private or domestic use or consumption.
As the drug is being supplied to an individual for private use and consumption, the supply satisfies subsection 38-50(7) of the GST Act.
Subsection 38-50(6) of the GST Act provides that a supply of a drug or medicinal preparation is GST-free if it is subject to an approval under paragraph 19(1)(a) of the Therapeutic Goods Act and any conditions to which the approval is subject have been complied with.
In this case, the entity has an approval under paragraph 19(1)(a) of the Therapeutic Goods Act to import the drug. Therefore, the entity is making a GST-free supply under section 38-50 of the GST Act when it supplies a drug, which it has imported under the Special Access Scheme, to a patient.