More medicines for diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol made VAT-free

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has released an updated list of medicines exempted from value-added tax (VAT), including those for diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and mental illness.

Under Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) 025-2025, BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. updated the list of VAT-exempt medicines to include those for diabetes such as Gemigliptin 50 milligram (mg) or 500 mg film-coated tablets, and Sitagliptin 100 mg or 1 gram extended release film coated tablets.

Also exempted are medicines for hypertension Amlodipine 20 mg tablets, and for high cholesterol Amlodipine + Atorvastatin tablets, as well as Risperidone 4 mg orodispersible tablet for those with mental illness.

The BIR said the additional exemptions were made in response to the updated list of VAT-exempt products as endorsed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

To recall, the BIR in December exempted 16 more medicines for cancer, diabetes, and mental illness from VAT. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/RSJ, GMA Integrated News