TEN additional health products have been exempted from the value-added tax (VAT) and are now more accessible to the public.
Based on Advisory No. 2025-0510, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has listed 10 more medicines in the list of VAT-exempt health products.
"Provided below are the latest updates on the list of VAT-exempt health products pursuant to Republic Act No. 11534, effective upon the issuance of this advisory," said the FDA.
Included are cancer medicines Tegafur + Gimeracil + Oteracil Potassium 20 mg/5.8 mg/19.6 mg; and Tegafur + Gimeracil + Oteracil Potassium 25 mg/7.25 mg/24.5 mg.
Also in the list are diabetes drugs Metformin Hydrochloride + Teneligliptin (as hydrobromide hydrate) 1 g/20 mg; and Metformin Hydrochloride + Teneligliptin (as hydrobromide hydrate) 500 mg/20 mg.
The medicine for high cholesterol Atorvastatin (as calcium) + Fenobribrate 20 mg/160 mg is also included in the list.
The agency also listed medicines for hypertension Metoprolol tartrate + Ivabradine (as hydrochloride) 50 mg/5 mg; and Metoprolol tartrate + Ivabradine (as hydrochloride) 25 mg/5 mg.
Completing the list are mental illness drugs Lamotrigine 5 mg; Lamotrigine 25 mg (oral dispersible tablet); and Lamotrigine 25 mg (tablet).
The FDA also removed from the list two cancer medicines.
They include Baricitinib 2 mg; and Baricitinib 4 mg. (Anton Banal/SunStar Philippines)