Dr Chiu Tai-Yuan, the Minister of Health and Welfare, stated in an interview that the government’s contribution to the National Health Insurance (NHI) funds will be increased to 38%, and NT$5 billion will be allocated next year for the Cancer Drug Fund, which is expected to reach NT$10 billion in three years. Ms Tsai Li-Juan, the Deputy CEO of the Formosa Cancer Foundation, expressed disappointment, noting that patient groups had anticipated an initial fund of NT$10 billion. Some doctors argued that even NT$10 billion would be insufficient, let alone starting with just NT$5 billion. Ms Tsai urged the government to assess the gap between Taiwan's treatment practices and international guidelines, and to determine the exact budget needed for new drugs.

Due to financial constraints within the National Health Insurance (NHI) system, there is a discrepancy between Taiwan's treatment guidelines and those of more advanced countries. This gap has deprived patients of the opportunity to participate in multinational clinical trials for new drugs. Additionally, it affects treatment plans, as doctors must consider whether patients can afford these expensive new medications. Moreover, the deviation from international treatment guidelines means that doctors in Taiwan have less experience with advanced treatments, which is a disadvantage for the development of healthcare expertise in the country.

Ms Tsai stated that international treatment guidelines are constantly updated to reflect advances in new drugs and technologies. However, in Taiwan, patients are often required to undergo certain treatments before they can access new drugs. This has widened the gap between Taiwan's guidelines and international standards, making it increasingly difficult for patients in Taiwan to meet the criteria for accessing new medications.

Ms Tsai suggested that the authorities should create a prioritized list of drugs to be included in the Fund. For example, top priority should be given to new cancer drugs that have completed phase III clinical trials, have demonstrated efficacy, and are included in international treatment guidelines.

Ms Tsai stressed that NT$5 billion is clearly insufficient to bridge the treatment gap. While patient groups understand that the government must consider its overall financial planning when deciding the budget for the Cancer Drug Fund, they still hope the government will first examine the treatment gap between Taiwan and international practices. They urge the formulation of short-term, medium-term, and long-term plans to gradually close this gap.

【2024-08-07 / United Daily News】