As the healthcare standard improves and the population ages, what the public need is not only a cure for their health problems, but also an improvement in their quality of life. The trend in healthcare has moved from disease treatment towards disease prevention. The World Health Organization and the governments of many advanced countries have listed self-care as one of the major health policies. Health authorities have been keen in advocating the concepts of self-care and self-medication. The public are encouraged to consult pharmacists and, if possible, opt for non-prescription drugs for ailments so as to save health resources. The health authorities intend to make the most efficient and effective use of the limited health resources without compromising the healthcare quality.
It is forecasted that the non-prescription drug market in East and Southeast Asia will see the world’s fastest growth in the next five years. By 2021, it could be the world’s largest non-prescription drug market. Guided by the government’s “Southbound Policy”, the TFDA has been providing local manufacturers with the information on the regulations and management of non-prescription drugs in the ASEAN countries so as to help them to enter the Southeast Asian markets.
The TFDA held the 4th Self-Medication Collaborative Asian Regulator Expert Roundtable (Self-CARER) in Taipei with Japan and Thailand as co-organizers. International experts and scholars were invited to share the latest research results and trends about non-prescription drugs in the context of market opportunities, medication behaviour and economic value. Through strengthening the communication with the regulatory bodies in other countries, TFDA aims to improve its regulatory management structure, protect the nation’s medication safety and extend Taiwan’s international influence in the management of non-prescription drugs. The Conference also helps the domestic industry to increase its competitiveness in Southeast Asia and the AP region.
【 2018-03-21/Healthnews.com.tw】
