Press Release: State aid: the Commission authorises a reform of the Belgian tax on the turnover of pharmaceutical companies

On 30 January, 2008, the European Commission decided not to raise any objections, under EU state aid rules, to a series of tax reductions introduced by Belgium as part of the reform of the tax paid by pharmaceutical companies on sales of reimbursed medicines. This tax contributes to the financing of the Belgian health system. The proposed tax exemptions and reductions would represent an annual budget of around €47 million. Following adjustments made by the Belgian authorities in order to better target the aid and assess its effects, the Commission concluded that the measures were now compatible with the common market.