During a meeting on Nov. 16, a committee on improving patient access of the Legislative Yuan’s Health, Welfare and Environment Foundation discussed several topics, including whether the Cancer Drug Fund (CDF) should cover candidate drugs in phase 3 clinical trials that are awaiting approval for National Health Insurance reimbursement, as well as the possibility of amending the Cancer Control Act or establishing new legislation.

In response, National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) Director General Shih Chung-liang said that the NHIA has decided to draw NT$6.063 billion from the National Health Insurance (NHI) global budget to fund the CDF, comprising NT$2.43 billion for conditional listing, as well as NT$3.633 billion for new drugs and medical technologies. In addition, the fund will only be directed towards new cancer drugs that have completed phase II clinical trials but still requiring further proof on safety and efficacy. Formosa Cancer Foundation Vice President Tsai Li-chuan said that the CDF should be funded by the central government budget, as using NHI resources will dilute the value of medical points for providers.

Regarding patient groups’ demand for amending the Cancer Control Act or enacting a new legislation to ensure adequate funding for the CDF, Director General Shih said that while the NHIA supports amending the Cancer Control Act, even if the NHIA drafts a bill, it will likely be opposed by the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics, due to the need to preserve fiscal discipline, adding that the endeavor should be undertaken by legislators.

[2023-11-16/United Daily News]