A health worker administers the COVID-19 vaccine booster shot during a symbolic vaccination at the Generika Drug Store, in Taguig City on January 20, 2022. “Resbakuna sa mga Botika,” initially available in 7 drug stores in Metro Manila, allows walk in vaccination for individuals aged 18 years old and above, except for senior citizens and persons with comorbidities, according to DOH. 

MANILA — The Food and Drug Administration has released the list of the new VAT-exempted medicines for cancer, diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension and mental illnesses, effective June 4.

The Tegafur+Gimeracil+Oteracil Potassium in capsule, medicines for cancer are now VAT-exempted. 

FDA also included Metformin Hydrochloride+Teneligliptin in the list, for individuals with diabetes. 

For those with high cholesterol, Atorvastatin + Fenobribrate can now be purchased without VAT.

The Metoprolol tartrate + Ivabradine is also exempted for individuals with hypertension.

Lamotrigine, for mental illnesses is also exempt from the tax.

Meanwhile, Baricitinib—a medicine for cancer—was excluded from the tax exemption. 

The Republic Act No. 11534 or the ‘Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act’ provides VAT exemption to health products including medicines for hypertension, cancer, mental illnesses, tuberculosis, kidney diseases, diabetes and high cholesterol. 

8 more medicines get VAT exemption

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