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On 13 June 2025, the Philippine Department of Finance announced an expanded VAT exemption for medicines treating cancer, diabetes, dialysis, hypertension, high cholesterol, and mental illnesses, following President Marcos Jr.’s universal healthcare directive.
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Finance Secretary Recto directed the Bureau of Internal Revenue to promptly implement the exemption, emphasizing reduced out-of-pocket expenses and greater healthcare accessibility, especially benefiting underprivileged Filipinos needing costly treatments and long-term medication.
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The Bureau of Internal Revenue published the updated VAT-exempt medicine list on 4 June 2025, covering specific drugs like Tegafur combinations, Metformin Hydrochloride+Teneligliptin, Atorvastatin+Fenobribrate, Metoprolol tartrate+Ivabradine, and Lamotrigine for mental health.
Source: Orbitax
