Reported by Wu Liang-Yi from Taipei

Considering that patients are financially stressed by new drugs not yet covered by the NHI Benefit Scheme and that many new drugs are waiting to enter the NHI Benefit Scheme, the MOHW made an announcement about new drug payment negotiation strategies, including  diversified pricing, expedited pricing,  partial refund, etc.

Dai Xuei-Yung of the NHIA explained that many new drugs long-awaited by patients come with a big price tag; however, their effectiveness is yet to be confirmed.  In order to ease the financial pressure of new drugs, many governments have resorted to various price negotiation strategies.

For example, the NHI spent NT$3 billion on the hepatitis C new drugs last year after signing an agreement on guaranteed results with the drug companies.  Under the agreement, drug companies will return the payments to the NHI in situations where the treatment is discontinued or the virus has not been cleared.  The refund will increase other patients’ access to new drugs.

The NHIA pointed out that drug payment agreements have been adopted by the governments in the UK, Italy, Canada, South Korea, etc. based on the consideration of the financial impact and uncertain effectiveness of new drugs.

Cancer is the number one cause of death in Taiwan.  The NHIA has listed 34 new cancer drugs in the NHI Benefit Scheme and relaxed the reimbursement regulations of 32 cancer drugs over the past 5 years.  Most of the cancer drugs currently available on the market in Taiwan are already covered by the NHI.   However, there are still some waiting to be listed.

In August, the NHI Drug Dispensing Items and Fee Schedule Joint Establishment Meeting made a decision to include the first immunotherapy for melanoma into the NHI Benefit Scheme.  The NHIA has been increasing the budget for new drugs.  This year, the NHIA allocated NT$2.546 billion to new drugs.

The HOPE Foundation suggested that the NHIA should incorporate patients’ clinical experiences into the decision-making process; and it would benefit patients even more if patient groups can be directly involved.

【2018-09-22/ Liberty Times】