The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has endorsed 10 additional drug products for inclusion in the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) list of Value-Added Tax (VAT)-exempt medicines.
FDA endorses 10 more drug products for VAT exemption
Published Jun 11, 2025 02:20 pm
PHOTO FROM PIXABAY
In FDA Advisory No. 2025-0510 issued on June 4, the agency identified the newly endorsed products, which include treatments for high cholesterol, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and mental health disorders.
FDA said these conditions are among the leading public health concerns in the country and often require long-term treatment.
The newly endorsed VAT-exempt drugs are as follows:
High cholesterol: Atorvastatin (as calcium) + Fenobribrate 20 mg/160 mg
Cancer: Tegafur + Gimeracil + Oteracil Potassium 20 mg/5.8 mg/19.6 mg and Tegafur + Gimeracil + Oteracil Potassium 25 mg/7.25 mg/24.5 mg
Diabetes: Metformin Hydrochloride + Teneligliptin (as hydrobromide hydrate) 1 g/20 mg and Metformin Hydrochloride + Teneligliptin (as hydrobromide hydrate) 500 mg/20 mg
Hypertension: Metoprolol tartrate + Ivabradine (as hydrochloride) 50 mg/5 mg and Metoprolol tartrate + Ivabradine (as hydrochloride) 25 mg/5 mg
Mental illness: Lamotrigine 5 mg (dispersible/chewable tablet), Lamotrigine 25 mg (oral dispersible tablet), and Lamotrigine 25 mg (tablet)
FDA said the removal of the 12 percent VAT on these medications is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to reduce healthcare costs and improve access to essential treatment, particularly for individuals with chronic and life-threatening conditions.