Reported by Chen Jie-Ling form Taipei

As the situation of duplicate prescriptions is getting worse, the NHIA announces the final leg of the full implementation of the control measure.  From October, all oral drugs are subject to the control measure which rejects the reimbursement for duplicate prescriptions.  The final stage of the implementation affects 70 oral drug categories, including acne medicines.  If a patient’s record shows that he/she still holds medication for more than 10 days, then doctors will not be able to issue the same prescription.

It is estimated that over 193 tons of drugs are thrown away every year in Taiwan.  To contain the waste of resources, the NHIA made a decision to stop reimbursing duplicate prescriptions.  The first stage of the implementation took effect in September 2015, targeting on 6 drug categories for chronic diseases.  The second stage was implemented this January, affecting 60 drug categories and reaching a total 70% implementation rate.  The control measure has helped the NHI to make a quarterly saving of NT$540.

Zeng Wen-Fu, an NHIA official, pointed out that the remaining 30% of drugs will be brought into the implementation scope this October.  It will affect 9823 drug items in 70 drug categories.  The NHIA expects to save an extra NT$9 million every quarter.  The reimbursement condition will be tightened as well.  At present, it allows patients to stock medications for 14 days.  From October, the threshold will be lowered to 10 days.

As drugs for acne are in the final stage of the implementation, dermatologists advise patients to have more patience with the treatment which usually takes 1-2 months. Patients should not rush to other clinics for treatments just because they don’t see the results immediately.

【2019-07-14/ United Daily】