The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has issued a memorandum including 10 medicines in the list of drugs exempted from value-added tax (VAT).
In Memorandum Circular No. 062-2025, the BIR approved the recommendation of the Food and Drug Administration to include two medicines for cancer, two for diabetes, one for high cholesterol, two for hypertension, and three for mental illness.
“These changes aim to enhance access to critical medications by reducing treatment costs for patients and their families,” the BIR said in a statement.
The following medicines for cancer are now exempted:
- Tegafur + Gimeracil + Oteracil Potassium capsule (20 mg/5.8 mg/19.6 mg)
- Tegafur + Gimeracil + Oteracil Potassium capsule (25 mg/7.25 mg/24.5 mg)
For diabetes:
- Metformin Hydrochloride + Teneligliptin extended-release tablet (as hydrobromide hydrate) (1 g/20 mg)
- Metformin Hydrochloride + Teneligliptin extended release tablet (as hydrobromide hydrate) (500 mg/20 mg)
For high cholesterol:
- Atorvastatin (as calcium) + Fenobribrate film-coated tablet (20 mg/160 mg)
- For hypertension:
- Metoprolol tartrate + Ivabradine film-coated tablet (as hydrochloride) (50 mg/5 mg)
- Metoprolol tartrate + Ivabradine film-coated tablet (as hydrochloride) (25 mg/5 mg)
For mental illnesses:
- Lamotrigine dispersible/chewable tablet (5 mg)
- Lamotrigine oral dispersible tablet (25 mg)
- Lamotrigine tablet (25 mg)
“The BIR has issued an additional VAT-exemption of 10 medicines for cancer, diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, and mental illness. Access to affordable medicines is part of BIR’s Excellent Taxpayer Service,” BIR Commissioner Jun Lumagui said. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
