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The BIR issued Revenue Memorandum Circular 62-2025, adding 10 more VAT-exempt medicines for cancer, diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, and mental illness, reducing healthcare costs for Filipino patients.
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The VAT exemption aligns with RA 10963 (TRAIN Law) and RA 11534 (CREATE Act), reflecting a government push to improve access to essential medicines through updated tax relief measures.
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Newly exempt medicines include tegafur-based oral chemotherapy, metformin-teneligliptin for diabetes, atorvastatin-fenofibrate for cholesterol, metoprolol-ivabradine for hypertension, and lamotrigine in various formulations for mental health treatment.
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The BIR emphasized continued collaboration with the FDA and DOH, pledging further reviews to expand the VAT-free medicine list and enhance public health support through tax policy.
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