BIR: 14 more drugs VAT-fre

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has issued an updated list of value-added tax (VAT)-free medicines for diseases such as cancer, diabetes and tuberculosis.

-  LOUISE MAUREEN SIMEON

In a memorandum circular, the BIR approved 14 medicines exempted from the 12 percent VAT under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law and the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act.

The list was endorsed by the Food and Drug Administration of the Department of Health.

The circular covered the inclusion of medicines for cancer, hypertension, mental illness, diabetes, tuberculosis and kidney e ailments.

Of the 14 medicines that are VAT-free, four are for hypertension. These are Losartan Potassium, Candesartan, Losartan Potassium with Amlodipine and Candesartan Cilexetil.