MANILA, Philippines — More medicines for treating cancerdoubleu casino, diabetes and mental health conditions are now exempted from the 12% value-added tax (VAT).

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) issued Revenue Memorandum Circular 131-2024 on December 3, adding 16 more medicines to the list of VAT-exempt items under Republic Act 11534, also known as the CREATE Act.

According to Section 12 of the law, prescription drugs and medicines for diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, cancer, mental illnesses, tuberculosis and kidney diseases are eligible for VAT exemption.

The following medicines are now VAT-exempt:

Cancer    

Degarelix 80 mg Degarelix 120 mg Tremelimumab 25 mg/1.25 mL (20 mg/mL) Tremelimumab 300 mg/15 mL (20 mg/mL)

Diabetes

Sitagliptin 25 mg Sitagliptin 25 mg (as hydrochloride) + Metformin Hydrochloride 50 mg/1 g Sitagliptin 25 mg (as hydrochloride) + Metformin Hydrochloride 50 mg/850 mg Sitagliptin (as hydrochloride) 25 mg Sitagliptin (as hydrochloride) 50 mg Sitagliptin (as hydrochloride) 100 mg Sitagliptin (as hydrochloride monohydrate) 25 mg Sitagliptin (as hydrochloride monohydrate) 50 mg Linagliptin 5 mg

Mental Illness

Clomipramine Hydrochloride 25 mg Chlorpromazine (as hydrochloride) 200 mg Midazolam (15 mg)

These drugs, in various dosages, were endorsed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to the BIR on October 14.

The FDA also corrected the generic name of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, previously listed as Chorionic Gonadotrophin.

“The BIR supports the National Government’s thrust of more affordable medicine and healthcare. The BIR will do its share in uplifting the lives of our fellow Filipinos,” BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said in a statement. 

In January, 21 medicines were listed as VAT-exempt. These included panitumumab, fulvestrant, metformin, atorvastatin calcium and atorvastatin + fenofibrate. 

“While tempting… unfortunately, we have no provision in our rules providing for such a ‘joint investigation,’” Escudero said yesterday in a Viber message to The STAR.

The storm currently boasts maximum sustained winds of 75 kph, with gusts reaching up to 90 kph. This marks a slight increase from earlier reports, which indicated peak winds only reaching 80 kph.

Persons with disabilities (PWDs) are also entitled to a 20% discount on any medication purchased at any drugstore. doubleu casino

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