FDA adds new cancer diabetes and mental health medications to VAT-free list in Philippines

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the Philippines has added seven new medicines to the list of those exempt from value-added tax (VAT). This aims to make treatments for cancer, diabetes, and mental illness more affordable for patients. Newly included medications for cancer are Degarelix and Tremelimumab. For diabetes, the list now features several forms of Sitagliptin and Linagliptin. Clomipramine, Chlorpromazine, and Midazolam are added for mental health treatment. The FDA also updated previous entries, changing "Chorionic Gonadotrophin" to "Human Chorionic Gonadotropin" and removing it from the list. VAT exemptions apply to medicines for serious diseases under specific tax reform laws.