The medical community estimates that there are around 1.9 million hepatitis B carriers in Taiwan. At a press conference on the analysis and recommendations for the expansion of hepatitis B antiviral drug prescription in Taiwan, former Vice President Chen Chien-jen shared the findings of a research project that used mathematical modeling which showed that expanding treatment will significantly lessen the economic and physical toll of the disease. Former Vice President Chen hoped that these findings will further support the case for expanding National Health Insurance (NHI) coverage of hepatitis B treatment.

While international guidelines recommend for the continual expansion of target patients groups eligible for chronic hepatitis B drugs, Former Vice President Chen pointed out that Taiwan's requirements are stricter compared to global norms. He suggested that the criteria be eased by reducing the number of abnormal liver index tests required from two to one and lowering the liver fibrosis indicator from F3 to F2, as well as decreasing the requirement on abnormal liver ALT readings to allow early treatment for mid to low-risk patients.

Former Vice President Chen Chien-jen noted that the guidelines set by the Taiwan Association for the Study of Liver Foundation (TASLF), as well as by the U.S. and Europe, all indicate that by 2035, the economic efficiency gains from providing early treatment for hepatitis B will be realized despite continued annual growth in the number of patients enrolled. Furthermore, once the NHI coverage prerequisites have been eased, wider access to treatment will help in lowering the occurrence rate of cirrhosis, liver cancer, and cancer mortality.

Liver cancer ranks second among the top ten causes of cancer deaths in Taiwan, with up to 70 percent of liver cancer patients also diagnosed with hepatitis B. Former Vice President Chen Chien-jen said that hepatitis B screening should be prioritized along with Taiwan’s four other most prevalent cancers (breast cancer, colorectal cancer, oral cancer), as infection cannot be contained by vaccination alone. He added that Taiwan should actively promote its hepatitis B screening outreach plan to improve the diagnosis rate from the current 70 percent to 90 percent and that family doctors should be encouraged to aid in the treatment and monitoring of hepatitis B patients, which could increase the treatment rate from the current 35 percent to 70 percent.

[2021-11-10/Central News Agency]