Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Wednesday said they are exploring the possibility of also exempting from value added tax (VAT) medicines for the treatment of cancer patients.

Duque’s announcement came as he reiterated his call on all drug stores and other concerned stakeholders to observe the recently imposed VAT exemptions on all the so-called maintenance drugs for hypertension, diabetes and other diseases.

To recall, the government exempted maintenance medicines from VAT beginning 1 January this year.

Duque believes the exemption would greatly help the elderly sector as some people are spending an “inordinate amount” on these drugs.

At the same news briefing, Duque revealed that they are now working to also include the exemption of cancer medications from VAT.

“We are sensitive as well to the clamor of certain quarters, especially those representing cancer patients, whose treatment and medications can run into millions,” Duque said.

“We are almost there it was just we gave priority to most common medications such as the maintenance drugs,” he added.

Last October, Duque said more government hospitals will be providing free medicine for breast cancer patients, following the expansion of Breast Cancer Medicine Access Program, to help more people suffering from the potentially deadly disease.

He said from only seven, there will be 14 hospitals where breast cancer patients can avail themselves of free medicine.

These hospitals include the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, Region 1 Medical Center, Bicol Medical Center, Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, Zamboanga City Medical Center and Southern Philippines Medical Center.

The health chief said the Food and Drug Administration will ensure that pharmacies comply with the new VAT exemption rules and the public can send complaints to ecomplaints@bir.gov.ph.

This in line with the implementation of Section 109-AA of Republic Act 10693 as implemented by the DoF, Department of Health, Bureau of Internal Revenue and Food and Drug Authority Joint Administrative Order 2-2018 and BIR Regulations 25-2018.

Violators will be punished with a fine of not more than P1,000 or imprisonment of not more than six months or both.