The Precision Medicine Industry Association (PMIA) published the 2023 industry white paper in which the PMIA puts forward 5 major suggestions, including the reimbursement of next-generation sequencing (NGS) tests. Vice Premier Cheng Wen-Tsan said that the white paper will be forwarded to the MOHW for study with a view to supporting the development of the precision medicine industry while ensuring the well-being of patients.
Dr Christopher Tsai, the President of the PMIA, expressed that the white paper is a result of the consultations with experts from the industry, the academics, the government, the hospitals and the patients. It includes five major suggestions: 1. Better allocate the resources based on precision health to improve patients’ well-being; 2. Keep up with international trends and include NGS tests in the NHI Benefit Scheme; 3. Promote the population sequencing plan; 4. Improve the application procedures and the management of lab development tests (LDTs) filed by medical institutions; 5. Enhance the environment for the uses of health data and create a sustainable foundation for health big data.
Dr Johnsee Lee, the Honorary President of the PMIA, pointed out the fact that precision medicinal products accounted for over 40% of the new drugs approved by the US FDA. In the future, the global pharmaceutical market will be more and more diversified, and drug prices will continue to rise. Therefore, it will be worth the effort to study how to use DNA testing to improve treatment efficiency.
For example, the NHIA has just approved the reimbursement of a very expensive drug for SMA. However, if the government would spend just NT$340 million on early detection of SMA, the incidence of this disease can be significantly reduced.
According to Vice Premier Cheng, the value of Taiwan’s biotech industry is about NT$600 billion and the average annual expenditure on precision medicine is over NT$40 billion. He promised to ask the MOHW to carefully study the white paper, especially the suggestions concerning NHI reimbursement and the regulatory environment.
【2023-07-11 / Economic Daily】
