At the close of the year 2018, the Department of Finance (DOF) announced the mandated implementation of tax exemption for selected medicines and drugs. Exempted from payment of the value-added tax (VAT) starting tomorrow, January 1, 2019, are all drugs and medicines prescribed for diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension – regardless of brands. The DOF announced in its official Twitter post over the weekend the VAT exemption of these specific drugs and medicines. The resulting inflationary effects of the TRAIN Law made it the most unpopular piece of legislation approved by the 17th Congress. This special provision under the TRAIN Law on these specific drugs and medicines would hopefully do the trick.

Source: Philippine Star December 30, 2018 16:06 UTC