The NHIA held a meeting with drug companies and reached a preliminary agreement on the preferential plan for new drugs developed in Taiwan and generics of recently off-patent original drugs.

Responding to the pharmaceutical affairs reform initiated last year, the NHIA organized a meeting with legislators and representatives of the pharmaceutical industry to discuss the revision of the Pharmaceutical Benefit and Reimbursement Scheme (PBRS) and the Regulations on the Adjustment of Drug Prices.

After the meeting, Ms Huang Yu-Wen of the NHIA told the press that the aim of the meeting was to gather stakeholders' opinions on revised articles covering support for domestic API manufacturers, domestic drug manufacturing, and generic manufacturers. The NHIA intends to stabilize the drug supply and ensure patients' access to essential medicines by offering preferential reimbursement. This intention was acknowledged and supported by drug companies.

The NHIA plans to implement a 20% increase in the payment prices of APIs in Taiwan to support domestic manufacturing and to enhance the resilience of the local drug industry. Additionally, the first two approved generics of recently off-patent original drugs will receive better payment, initially set at 110% of the prices of the original drugs. Ms Huang also mentioned suggestions raised by international drug companies regarding the protection of patents and prices.

The NHIA initiated the piloting of the NHI Drug Expenditure Target (DET) System in 2013. This system aims to maintain drug fees within a stable and reasonable range by setting an annual drug expenditure target and adjusting drug prices based on actual expenditure the following April. However, the pharmaceutical industry views this system as inadequate and calls for a reform of the NHI drug policy. Concerns have been raised within the industry that continual drug price cuts on old drugs will result in drug shortages.

Ms Huang mentioned that the meeting minutes will be ready within a week. The next meeting will invite representatives from hospitals and pharmacists to gather opinions from the user end. Once a preliminary consensus is reached on drug pricing and adjustments, the NHIA will proceed with the reform of the DET.

【2024-04-08 / Central News Agency】