According to the NHIA’s data, only 42.05% of repeat prescriptions for chronic diseases were released by healthcare providers in the third quarter of 2024, reflecting just a 10% increase over the past decade. This rate remains significantly lower than Japan’s 90%. The Taiwan Healthcare Reform Foundation (THRF) emphasized that the release of repeat prescriptions benefits patients, as they receive better health education from community pharmacists, who play a crucial role in ensuring medication safety. However, over 40% of the public remain unaware that community pharmacies also offer dispensing services.
The NHIA’s data shows that in the third quarter of 2024, the total release rate of repeat prescriptions was 42.05%, reflecting a 10% increase compared to 31.3% in 2014. The NHIA continues to encourage hospitals to issue prescriptions.
Ms. Lin Ya-Hui, President of the THRF, pointed out that some in-house pharmacies are unable to provide sufficient health education for patients due to hospital management's focus on operational efficiency. As the population ages, the release of repeat prescriptions for chronic diseases will not only spare patients the trouble of traveling but also enable community pharmacists to fulfill their role in ensuring medication safety.
Ms. Lin continued that although there are more community pharmacies than convenience stores in Taiwan, the release rate of repeat prescriptions remains just slightly above 40%, far below Japan’s 90%. Recently, incidents of drug shortages have occurred, and the public is often uncertain about substitute medications that contain the same ingredients, dosage, and form as the original. Last year, the NHI piloted a new scheme for dental prescriptions, under which prescriptions are considered substitutable by default unless a specific reason for non-substitution is stated. Ms. Lin suggested expanding this pilot scheme.
Mr. Hung Tzu-Jen, President of the Taiwan College of Healthcare Executives, explained that for prescriptions issued by hospitals, whether they are dispensed at the hospital or a community pharmacy, the prescription quota is still attributed to the prescribing hospital. If a patient collects their medication at a community pharmacy, the pharmacy earns the drug fee. However, if the prescription fails to comply with regulations and is rejected by the NHI, the responsibility falls on the original prescribing hospital.
Mr. Hung noted that from the hospital's perspective, patient convenience is the primary concern. Approximately 70–80% of patients tend to collect their first prescription at the hospital and visit community pharmacies for the following two refills.
Dr. Chu Yi-Hong, President of the Taiwan Community Hospital Association, stated that the release of repeat prescriptions for chronic diseases is an NHI policy and is included in the hospital accreditation index; therefore, an increase in the release rate is expected. Notably, repeat prescriptions account for 30% of outpatient prescriptions in medical centers, indicating a high proportion of treatment for ailments. This situation contradicts the principle of hierarchical medical care.
【2025-02-18 / China Times】
