During a news conference on Sept. 30, Formosa Cancer Foundation (FCF) Vice President Tsai Li-chuan cited statistics from the Pharmaceutical Benefits and Reimbursement Scheme and pointed out that only NT$2.358 billion of the NT$5 billion allocated this year for the Cancer Drug Fund (CDF) has been spent, reflecting an implementation rate of less than 50 percent. With the remaining NT$2.642 billion expected to be rolled over to next year’s budget and an additional NT$5 billion allocated for 2026, the CDF is projected to have NT$7.642 billion in available funding in 2026. She noted that not only will the CDF fall short of the NT$10 billion target, it will have only NT$3.718 billion available for new cancer drugs not yet conditionally listed under the CDF in 2026, as NT$3.924 billion of the NT$7.642 billion is reserved for those already included this year.

Vice President Tsai said that patients are hoping the government will ensure a funding scale of NT$10 billion for the CDF and guarantee its long-term operation through legislation and enhanced revenue streams.

In response, National Health Insurance Administration Deputy Director General Parng I-ming said that as several government departments are working together on amending the Cancer Control Act, the process is complex. Director General Parng added that despite the challenges, the government has been active in establishing a legal basis for the CDF. He said that revisions have been made to regulations governing the use of the National Health Insurance Fund by establishing an earmark approved by the Executive Yuan to bring the CDF’s revenue streams and funding usage under regulation.

[2025-9-30/United Daily News]