The NHIA announced the latest drug price adjustment which is to come into effect from January 1st, 2022. A total of 6645 drug items are to be affected, including some well-known products, such as Crestor, Plavix and Norvasc. The NHIA estimates that this adjustment will contribute to a saving of NT$7.46 billion every year. The saving will be directed to the payments for breakthrough new drugs. However, doctors suggest that the NHIA should have some corresponding measures in place so as to ensure that drugs will not be withdrawn from Taiwan and that hospitals will not make huge changes of their formulary lists.
According to Dai Xuie-Yung of the NHIA, 6564 drug items are to face a price cut while 81 items will have a price increase; and the average price cut rate is 4.1%. The biggest price reduction is on cardiovascular drugs (8%), followed by drugs for nervous system (6%) and systemic anti-infectives (5%).
Cardiovascular drugs are mostly for treating the so-called “3-high” conditions, which are quite common in Taiwan. Among them, Crestor’s price will be cut from NT$15.6 to NT$13.4 per tablet (14%), and Lipitor from NT$10.7 to NT$9.0. Plavix, which has the biggest sales volume, is down from NT$34.4 to NT$32.1. Norvasc for treating hypertension is reduced from NT$4.3 to NT$3.84 per tablet.
Dai Xui-Yung expressed that new drug prices used to take effect from April 1st. Last year, the implementation was postponed to October due to the pandemic. This year, again affected by the pandemic, the new drug price is scheduled to take effect from January 1st, 2022. Most drugs subject to a price cut are old drugs, said Dai.
Dr Hong Ze-Jen, the Deputy Superintendent of Shin Kong Memorial Hospital, mentioned that hospitals are likely to initiate a revision of their formulary lists as a consequence of the drug price adjustment. If the NHIA’s drug price is too low, foreign drug companies may consider withdrawing their products from Taiwan based on the cost-benefit assessment. The NHIA should have corresponding measures in place, said Dr Hong.
【2021-11-27 / United Daily】
