FDA updates VAT-exempt meds list

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released the updated list of Value-Added Tax (VAT)-exempt medicines on Tuesday afternoon.

A total of 69 medicines are included in FDA Advisory 2026-0065, covering treatments for cancer, high cholesterol, diabetes, and tuberculosis.

“In line with the Philippine government’s continuing efforts to ensure accessible and affordable healthcare, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issues this Advisory to inform the public of the latest updates on the List of Value-Added Tax (VAT) Exempt Health Products, pursuant to the implementation of Republic Act No. 11534, also known as the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act,” the advisory read.

The advisory also cited the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Bureau of Customs (BoC), and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as the implementing agencies for the updated list.

Medicines for cancer include Abiraterone, Abiraterone Acetate, Cyclophosphamide, Cytarabine, Eribulin Mesylate, Ibrutinib, Imatinib, Lapatinib, Methotrexate, Paclitaxel, Sunitinib, Vincristine, and Vinorelbine.

Diabetes medicines listed are Dapagliflozin, Enavogliflozin, Metformin, Tirzepatide, Metformin Hydrochloride + Gliclazide, and Vildagliptin + Metformin.

Hypertension medicines include Atorvastatin (as calcium) + Perindopril (as arginine) + Amlodipine (as besilate), Cilnidipine, and Hydralazine Hydrochloride. Medicines for high cholesterol covered in the list include Fenofibrate and Rosuvastatin (as calcium) + Ezetimibe.

The list also includes medicines for mental illnesses such as Brexpiprazole, Escitalopram Oxalate, Sertraline, Sertraline Hydrochloride, and Vortioxetine.

Meanwhile, Bosentan, a hypertension medicine, has been removed from the list.

The updated list takes effect immediately upon the issuance of FDA Advisory 2026-0065.