The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released an updated list of medicines that are now exempt from value-added tax (VAT), effective June 4, in accordance with Republic Act No. 11534, also known as the ‘Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives fro Enterprises (CREATE) Act.’
The updated list includes new VAT-exempt medicines used to treat cancer, diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, and mental illnesses.
Among the newly added cancer treatments is Tegafur + Gimeracil + Oteracil Potassium in capsule form, which is now VAT-free.
For individuals with diabetes, Metformin Hydrochloride + Teneligliptin has been included in the exemption.
Those managing high cholesterol may now purchase Atorvastatin + Fenofibrate without VAT, while patients with hypertension can benefit from the exemption on Metoprolol Tartrate + Ivabradine.
In the area of mental health, Lamotrigine, a commonly prescribed medication for certain mental illnesses, is now VAT-exempt as well.
However, the FDA clarified that Baricitinib, a medicine also used in cancer treatment, was excluded from the current list of tax-exempt medicines.
The CREATE Act provides VAT exemptions on select health products, including medicines for critical illnesses such as hypertension, cancer, mental disorders, tuberculosis, kidney diseases, diabetes, and high cholesterol, as part of the government’s efforts to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for Filipinos.
