The Philippines Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has significantly expanded its list of value-added tax (VAT)-exempt medicines, adding treatments for cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and mental health conditions as part of a broader initiative to improve access to essential medications.
Under FDA Advisory No. 2025-0510 dated June 4, the agency included 10 additional medicines across multiple therapeutic areas. The expansion aligns with President Marcos's directive to reduce medicine costs and improve access to essential treatments through the CREATE Act, particularly Section 12.
Cancer Treatment Additions
The FDA added two new cancer medications to the VAT-free list:
- Tegafur + Gimeracil + Oteracil Potassium capsule (20 mg/5.8 mg/19.6 mg)
- Tegafur + Gimeracil + Oteracil Potassium capsule (25 mg/7.25 mg/24.5 mg)
These additions complement previously listed cancer medicines including Bortezomib, Docetaxel, Lenvatinib, Lenalidomide, and Paclitaxel, expanding treatment options for cancer patients seeking affordable therapy.
Diabetes Management Options
For diabetes treatment, the FDA included two new combination medications:
- Metformin Hydrochloride + Teneligliptin extended-release tablet (as hydrobromide hydrate) (1 g/20 mg)
- Metformin Hydrochloride + Teneligliptin extended release tablet (as hydrobromide hydrate) (500 mg/20 mg)
The diabetes category also includes Saxagliptin and Dapagliflozin combination tablets that were previously added to the VAT-exempt list.
Cardiovascular Disease Treatments
The expansion includes several cardiovascular medications. For hypertension, two new combination treatments are now VAT-exempt:
- Metoprolol tartrate + Ivabradine film-coated tablet (as hydrochloride) (50 mg/5 mg)
- Metoprolol tartrate + Ivabradine film-coated tablet (as hydrochloride) (25 mg/5 mg)
Previously added hypertension treatments include combinations of Losartan, Rosuvastatin, and Amlodipine in various dosages.
For high cholesterol management, the FDA included:
- Atorvastatin (as calcium) + Fenofibrate film-coated tablet (20 mg/160 mg)
Mental Health and Other Conditions
The mental health category received three new additions, all featuring Lamotrigine in different formulations:
- Lamotrigine dispersible/chewable tablet (5 mg)
- Lamotrigine oral dispersible tablet (25 mg)
- Lamotrigine tablet (25 mg)
The expanded list also covers treatments for other conditions including kidney disease with peritoneal dialysis solutions and tuberculosis treatment combining Rifampicin, Isoniazid, and Pyrazinamide.
Policy Impact
This expansion represents a significant step in the Philippines' efforts to make essential medications more accessible to patients across multiple therapeutic areas. By removing VAT from these medications, the government aims to reduce the financial burden on patients requiring long-term treatment for chronic conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
