The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) released names of 22 additional drugs used for the treatment of six serious illnesses that are exempted from the 12 percent value-added tax (VAT).
BIR Commissioner Caesar R. Dulay came out with the list via Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 30-2022 based on a resolution of the Food and Drug Administration.
They are utilized to treat Covid-19, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and mental illness.
The government exempts the medicines from VAT to effectively cut their retail prices.
They are Filgrastim, Follitropin Alfa (Lutropin Alfa), Sultuximab and Durvalumab for cancer; Desmopressin for Diabetes; Indapamide for hypertension; Ezetimibe for high cholesterol and Lemotrigine for mental illness.
For Covid-19: Arbidol Hydrochloride, Beeloniethasone, Bivalirudin, Casirivimab+Imdevimab, Dexamethasone (sodium phosphate), Enoxaparin, Exoxaparin, Heparin, Propofol, Remdesivir, Tinxaparin, Tocilizumab, Vancomycin HCI and medical grade oxygen.