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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DOH chief welcomes VAT removal on 21 medicines

DOH chief welcomes VAT removal on 21 medicines

Published Jan 31, 2024 08:56 am

Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa expressed appreciation for the Bureau of Internal Revenue's (BIR) removal of value-added tax (VAT) on 21 medicines, including those for cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and tuberculosis (TB).

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(DOH)

"I welcomed that because these are the drugs that are needed by people who are really sick, so VAT exemption is very important in lowering the price of the medicine," he stated in a press conference on Wednesday, Jan. 31.

Herbosa also outlined his goal of ensuring the availability of medicines in primary care, underscoring the potential impact of more affordable medications on broader accessibility.

"If the medicines are cheaper, I can provide to more people with the budget that legislation gave me. So if medicines become more affordable due to the removal of VAT, that's a significant help," Herbosa explained.

Meanwhile, addressing concerns about Filipinos' limited access to medicines for TB, cancer, and hypertension, he identified it as a factor contributing to fatalities from these illnesses, particularly when left uncontrolled. 

Herbosa emphasized the modern approach of controlling non-communicable diseases, prioritizing hypertension and diabetes management.

Hypertension and diabetes are the two most common non-communicable diseases, he added. 

“Kasi ‘yung mga mahihirap ay humihinto ng pag-inom kasi nga ang mahal ng gamot. So we want to make that medicine available also to our poorest of the Filipinos (Because the poor often stop taking medicine due to its high cost, we aim to provide affordable medication for the poorest Filipinos),” Herbosa said.

In addition to 12 percent VAT exemption for medicines, Herbosa disclosed ongoing efforts within the DOH to develop programs in collaboration with Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). 

These programs aim to provide free or subsidized medication for diabetes and hypertension, although they are not yet implemented at this time.

READ: https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/31/21-medicines-granted-vat-exemption-by-bir 

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