BIR Adds 9 Medicines for Cancer, Diabetes, Hypertension, Kidney Disease & Tubercolosis in List of VAT-Exempt Medicines

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The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), under the leadership of Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui, Jr., has issued Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 59-2025 dated June 11, 2025, to circularize the latest list of medicines now exempt from Value-Added Tax (VAT), as endorsed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the Department of Health (DOH).

The said issuance updates the list of VAT-exempt products to include additional medicines for the treatment of cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, and tuberculosis, specifically:

_(Refer to the tables below for details)_

The VAT exemption of the specified medicines is in accordance with Republic Act No. 10963 or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, and Republic Act No. 11534 or the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act. The exemption takes effect upon the issuance and publication of the corresponding FDA Advisory.

“The BIR stands in full support of the DOH and FDA in advancing health equity. The tax system should never be a barrier to medical treatment, no Filipino should have to choose between their health and their basic needs. This VAT exemption is a concrete step toward ensuring that life-saving and life-sustaining medicines are within reach for all,” said Commissioner Lumagui.

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