On August 14, Minister of Health and Welfare (MOHW) Chiu Tai-yuan attended a briefing with the Legislative Yuan’s Social Welfare and Environment Hygiene Committee to discuss the government’s responses to the potential impacts of higher U.S. tariffs on pharmaceutical imports and their effects on local industries. Speaking to the press before the briefing, Minister Chiu noted that the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) and the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) have proposed four measures: strengthening the early warning system for drug shortages, increasing drug inventory, ensuring reasonable drug pricing, and encouraging the production of domestically produced drugs.

Minister Chiu also stated that the MOHW has completed a review of U.S.-produced drugs, ensuring sufficient supply, and will work to establish a three-month stockpile for drugs and a six-month stockpile for active pharmaceutical ingredients. In addition, the TFDA and NHIA have implemented a comprehensive drug pricing management system, which includes mechanisms to adjust drug prices in response to cost increases.

Taiwan People’s Party Legislator Chen Gau-tzu stated during the meeting that, given Taiwan’s relatively small market, reforms are necessary to prevent the market from being marginalized. She suggested strengthening the assessment of Taiwan’s drug supply resilience and improving early warning systems. She also proposed reforming the drug pricing gap and balance billing system, providing incentives for the development of domestic drugs, ensuring fairness between imported and domestic drugs, and encouraging local manufacturers to focus on the research and development of specialized or key drugs rather than low-priced generic drugs.

[2025-8-14/Central News Agency (CNA)]