The debate over removing instruction drugs from the NHI Benefit Scheme has been ongoing for years. The NHIA recently announced a plan to stop reimbursing 37 instruction drugs that had no reimbursement claims in the past year and are rarely prescribed by physicians. Mr. Pang I-Ming, Deputy Director of the NHIA, stated that the NHIA will gather feedback from medical societies and pharmaceutical associations before presenting the proposal at the June meeting of the Joint Establishment of NHI Drug Dispensing Items and Fee Schedule for discussion. If a consensus is reached, a formal announcement could be made as early as August, with a six-month grace period for preparation.

According to Article 51 of the NHI Act, instruction drugs are not included in the NHI reimbursement scope. However, when the NHI system was first introduced, the NHIA decided to include instruction drugs in the Benefit Scheme to accommodate the habits and needs of doctors and patients. Mr. Pang noted that the number of NHI-reimbursed instruction drugs has decreased from 2,518 in 1995, when the NHI was established, to 771 at present. The NHIA now plans to further reduce this number by 37 and is seeking professional feedback.

For the first time, the NHIA has used the number of prescribers as an assessment criterion. Among these 37 drugs, the most frequently prescribed was used by 120 doctors, while the least was prescribed by only one or two. The targeted drugs include cold relief medication, constipation drugs, liver-protective drugs, and allergy medicine for sneezing and runny noses. However, drugs for pediatric use, emergency use, or public health purposes will remain in the Benefit Scheme. Since these 37 drugs are prescribed by very few doctors, the NHIA anticipates positive feedback on the removal plan. If everything proceeds smoothly, the removal could take effect as early as next January or February.

Mr. Huang Chin-Shun, President of the Federation of Taiwan Pharmacists Associations, stated that removing instruction drugs from the NHI Benefit Scheme would save the NHI approximately NT$2 billion. However, he warned that this shift would place a financial burden of over NT$10 billion on the public, factoring in clinic registration fees, drug costs, travel expenses, and time costs. Dr. Chou Ching-Miing, President of the Taiwan Medical Association, urged the NHIA to carefully assess the plan, as it would increase patients' financial burden.

【2025-04-02 / United Daily】