Manila: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has endorsed 10 additional drug products to be included in the list of medicines that are exempt from value-added tax (VAT). In a public advisory on Wednesday, the FDA said the newly endorsed drugs address conditions representing significant public health concerns that require long-term and costly treatment.
According to Philippines News Agency, FDA Advisory No. 2025-0510 noted that these include a drug for high cholesterol, two for cancer, two for diabetes, two for hypertension, and three for mental health disorders. The removal of the 12 percent VAT on these medicines reduces healthcare costs and improves access to quality medication for Filipinos dealing with chronic and critical illnesses, the FDA said.
The additional medicines endorsed for VAT exemption are: Tegafur + Gimeracil + Oteracil Potassium, 20 mg/5.8 mg/19.6 mg, capsule form, Tegafur + Gimeracil + Oteracil Potassium, 25 mg/7.25 mg/24.5 mg, capsule form (for cancer); Metformin Hydrochloride + Teneligliptin (as hydrobromide hydrate), 1 g/20 mg, extended-release tablet form, Metformin Hydrochloride + Teneligliptin (as hydrobromide hydrate), 500 mg/20 mg, extended-release tablet form (for diabetes); Atorvastatin (as calcium) + Fenobribrate, 20 mg/160 mg, film-coated tablet form (for high cholesterol); Metoprolol tartrate + Ivabradine (as hydrochloride), 50 mg/5 mg, film-coated tablet form, Metoprolol tartrate + Ivabradine (as hydrochloride), 25 mg/5 mg, film-coated tablet form (for hypertension); Lamotrigine, 5 mg, dispersible/chewable tablet form, Lamotrigine, 25 mg, oral dispersible tablet form, Lamotrigine, 25 mg, tablet form (for mental illness).
This initiative is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to make medicines cheaper and more accessible to Filipinos, it added. It is also in accordance with Section 12 of Republic Act 11534 or Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act, which aims for lower taxes on health products.
The Bureau of Internal Revenue, Bureau of Customs, and Department of Trade and Industry are urged to ensure the appropriate and immediate implementation of such benefits for all Filipinos.
