BIR exempts from VAT 15 more medicines for serious illnesses
By Jun Ramirez
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has approved an additional 15 medicines to be exempt from value-added tax (VAT) for treating cancer, high cholesterol, hypertension, and mental illness.
This updated list of tax-exempt medicines was released following a recommendation from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
BIR Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui, Jr. said "the bureau is now a service-oriented agency and supports the government's effort to help patients and their families gain access to more affordable medicines."
The newly tax-exempt medicines include Avelumab, Acababrutiniib, Olaparib, Trastuzumab, and Trastuzumab Deruxtecan for cancer; Rosuvastatin for high cholesterol; Olmesartan, Perindopril, and Indapamide for hypertension; and Sodium Valproate and Valproic Acid for mental illness.
