14 more medicines added to VAT-exempt list covering 2,277 drugs

BIR expands tax-free medicine coverage for cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and other long-term treatments.

The government has widened its tax break on essential medicines, adding 14 products to the VAT-exempt list in a move that could ease out-of-pocket healthcare spending for Filipinos on long-term medication.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue announced that the updated list now covers 2,277 VAT-exempt medicines, as part of the government’s effort to expand access to more affordable healthcare.

While the increase may appear modest, each additional medicine gives patients and their doctors more treatment options without the added burden of the 12% value-added tax. That can make a difference for families who buy medicines month after month and have to stretch every peso to stay on treatment.

The newly updated list includes additional medicines for cancer, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, and tuberculosis, illnesses that often require long-term or even lifelong medication. Coverage now includes 708 cancer medicines, 537 for hypertension, 331 for diabetes, 172 for high cholesterol, and 77 for tuberculosis.

The expanded list is intended to help lower out-of-pocket healthcare costs, allowing more Filipinos to continue treatment while easing the cost of essential medicines for households that depend on regular prescriptions.

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