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NBR seeks production records from 18 pharma firms over delayed submissions
Published : Sunday, 26 July, 2026 at 2:34 PM
Observer Online Report
The National Board of Revenue's (NBR) Large Taxpayer Unit (LTU) has accused 18 leading pharmaceutical companies of delaying or failing to submit production-related documents sought as part of its tax compliance process.
According to an LTU letter signed by Commissioner Syed Atiqur Rahman, nearly three months have passed since the unit first requested item-wise production reports for the 2021�"22 fiscal year. Despite repeated letters and reminders, the requested information has yet to be submitted.
Under Section 82 of the Value Added Tax and Supplementary Duty Act, 2012, the NBR is authorised to seek business and production-related information from taxpayers.
An NBR official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said companies had repeatedly delayed providing the information despite being legally required to do so.
"Whenever we ask for the documents, they delay the process through various procedural complications. If the companies are transparent, there should be no difficulty in providing the records," the official said.
The companies asked to submit the documents include Advanced Chemical Industries (ACI) PLC, Aristopharma Limited, Beximco Pharmaceuticals PLC, Drug International Limited, SKF Pharmaceuticals Limited, Essential Drugs Company Limited, General Pharmaceuticals Limited, Incepta Pharmaceuticals Limited, Navana Pharmaceuticals PLC, Nuvista Pharma PLC, Orion Pharma Limited, Pacific Pharmaceuticals Limited, Renata PLC, Square Pharmaceuticals PLC, Synovia Pharma PLC, The ACME Laboratories Limited and The Ibn Sina Pharmaceutical Industry PLC.
According to the letter, the LTU first sought the records on May 12 and has since issued several reminders. It also requested separate production reports from companies, including Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Limited, in April.
NBR sources said the item-wise production data would enable the tax authority to compare production and sales volumes to determine whether medicines were being sold outside the formal market and whether the appropriate VAT and taxes had been paid.
The sources added that if the companies ultimately fail to provide the requested information, the NBR will take action in accordance with the law. If necessary, audit teams may be sent to the factories to collect the required information directly.
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
