THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Monday exempted 16 more medicines for cancer, diabetes, and mental illness from the value-added tax (VAT).
“The BIR exempts from VAT an additional 16 medicines for cancer, diabetes, and mental illness. Excellent Taxpayer Service includes the timely tax exemption of eligible medicines,” BIR Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui, Jr. said, noting the BIR supports the push for more affordable medicine and healthcare.
In a memorandum circular no. 131-2024, the BIR updated the list of VAT-exempt medicines to include those for cancer, including the degarelix freeze-dried powder with 80 milligrams (mg) and 120 mg, and tremelimumab concentrates with 25 mg and 300 mg dosages.
The Bureau also exempted more medicines for diabetes such as the sitagliptin and linagliptin film-coated tablets.
It also included medicines for mental illnesses such as clomipramine, chlorpromazine hydrochloride tablets, and midazolam film-coated tablets. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante
