President Tsai Ing-Wen said in a dinner party organised by the NPCA that the government is planning a new Act to facilitate the industry’s needs and to encourage a new wave of new drug R&D in the next decade.  She urged the industry to continue supporting the government in prospering the biopharmaceutical industry.

Speaking in the NPCA handover meeting for the outgoing and incoming presents and boards, President Tsai expressed that the people in Taiwan have shown solidarity in this pandemic outbreak.  The pharmaceutical industry has been deeply involved in this battle against COVID-19 by keeping up the supply of disease prevention materials and medicines.  The industry is playing a key role in safeguarding the nation’s health.

President Tsai mentioned the importance of being self-reliant in terms of medical supply.  It is a matter of public health, as well as national security.  In her inauguration speech, she had instructed the Executive Yuan to check all staple materials and goods and plan out the supply and distribution system.  “It would require the industries’ involvement and support,” said President Tsai.

President Tsai stressed that the government is devoted to the creation of a robust drug management system, hoping to improve the review efficiency for all drugs during their complete product life cycle, to accelerate the launch of drug products and to promote the biopharmaceutical development.

President Tsai said the government is planning a new Act to replace the “Biotech and New Pharmaceutical Development Act”, which is to be scrapped in 2021.  The new Act will be aiming to encourage new drug R&D in the next 10 years.  President Tsai hopes the industry would work with the government in developing the industry and sustaining healthcare supply.

【2020-08-06/ China Times】