A pharmacy makes a sale in Quezon City on January 3, 2019. Medicines for hypertension, diabetes, and high-cholesterol are now VAT-exempted at the start of 2019 due to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN New

A pharmacy makes a sale in Quezon City on January 3, 2019. Medicines for hypertension, diabetes, and high-cholesterol are now VAT-exempted at the start of 2019 due to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

VAT-free medicines

Benise Balaoing

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA -- The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said Monday it was exempting more medicines for cancer, diabetes, and mental illnesses from value-added tax (VAT).</p><p>In a statement, the BIR said it was exempting cancer medicines Degarelix and Tremelimumab from VAT.</p><p>Meanwhile, the diabetes medicines now exempted from VAT include Sitagliptin and Linagliptin.</p><p>For those struggling with their mental health, Clomipramine Hydrochloride, Chlorpromazine, and Midazolam are now VAT-free.</p><p>The BIR in January <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/business/2024/1/31/bir-exempts-21-medicines-for-cancer-diabetes-hypertension-from-vat-911" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">exempted 21 medicnes</a> for cancer, diabates, and hypertension from VAT. It exempted <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/business/2024/3/7/20-more-medicines-for-cancer-hypertension-mental-illness-now-vat-exempt-bir-1203" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">20 more</a> in March, and <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/business/2024/8/28/bir-exempts-more-medicines-vs-cancer-high-cholesterol-from-vat-921" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">another 15</a> in August. </p><p>Cancer and diabetes are some of the leading causes of death in the Philippines, where the cost of medicines is often prohibitive for the poor.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2024/10/17/who-9-out-of-10-deaths-in-western-pacific-including-ph-due-to-noncommunicable-diseases-1409" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">WHO: 9 out of 10 deaths in Western Pacific including PH due to noncommunicable diseases</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/6/24/no-one-is-exempted-from-mental-health-issues-doh-metro-manila-1556" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">No one is exempted from mental health issues: DOH-Metro Manila</a></div>

<p>The BIR is exempting more medicines for cancer, diabetes, and mental illnesses from VAT.</p>

The BIR is exempting more medicines for cancer, diabetes, and mental illnesses from VAT.

BIR exempts more cancer, diabetes, mental illness medicines from VAT | ABS-CBN

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BIR exempts more cancer, diabetes, mental illness medicines from VAT

BIR exempts more cancer, diabetes, mental illness medicines from VAT

Benise Balaoing,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 16, 2024 10:44 AM PHT

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Updated Dec 16, 2024 12:54 PM PHT

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