The Executive Yuan is going to allocate NT$5 billion from next year’s general budget to the “Cancer Drug Fund,” with a plan to increase the fund to NT$10 billion in 2026. Dr Shih Chung-Liang, the Director-General of the NHIA, expressed that the NHIA will finish formulating the “Guidelines on the Temporary Payment of Special Funds for New Cancer Drugs” by the end of this year. The NHIA is in the process of studying relevant mechanisms. It will involve experts, patient groups, and fee payers, including a talk next week given by foreign scholars about the key points of the guidelines and patient participation. Dr Shih expressed his high expectations for the Cancer Drug Fund.

The Cancer Drug Fund will evaluate whether a temporary payment should be granted to new drugs or new indications that satisfy unmet medical needs or demonstrate treatment potential, but have uncertainty about their clinical benefits or financial impact. The Fund aims to make an impartial and objective forecast about the potential benefits and to avoid lowering the NHI point-value due to new drug listings.

Dr Shih noted that not every country has established a cancer drug fund. For example, in South Korea, their national health insurance scheme charges high co-payments, and the premium increases at a rate of 10% per year. In comparison, the co-payment in Taiwan is relatively low, so the NHI bears a heavier financial burden for drug fees. As new drugs become increasingly expensive, it is necessary to evaluate their cost and benefit before deciding whether to include them in the NHI Benefit Scheme. The Cancer Drug Fund is established to address this dilemma and, hopefully, to accelerate the introduction of effective new drugs.

"I understand the anguish and pain suffered by cancer patients. If there is a treatment available, I hope everyone will have a chance to use it," said Dr Shih. For new drugs with treatment potential that are very expensive or have only completed Phase I or II clinical trials, including them in the NHI Benefit Scheme would have a significant impact on NHI finances. Therefore, they will be funded in the interim by the Cancer Drug Fund.

According to the preliminary plan, the Cancer Drug Fund will provide three years of reimbursement for a qualified new drug. During this period, the drug will be reassessed based on real-world data. If the results are satisfactory, the drug will enter the NHI Benefit Scheme. However, if the efficacy is not as desirable and the manufacturer refuses to lower the price, the Cancer Drug Fund will remove the drug, thereby opening up space for other candidates.

【2024-07-24 / United Daily】