TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Minister of Health and Welfare, Chiu Tai-yuan (邱泰源), discussed on Monday (July 1) the creation of a cancer drug fund with the Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee in the Legislative Yuan.
Minister Chiu emphasized that cancer has been the leading cause of death in Taiwan for 42 years, underscoring the critical need for this fund, as echoed by health officials and advocates.
According to data from the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the National Health Insurance Administration, cancer drug claims in 2023 totaled NT$39.4 billion for 880,000 patients, averaging NT$44,000 per patient.
The Taiwan Healthcare Reform Foundation (THRF) has advocated for the rapid establishment of a NT$10 billion cancer drug fund to secure medications and healthcare services for cancer patients, highlighting the necessity of delineating the fund's financial sources and legal guidelines for its use.
The National Health Insurance Administration has earmarked an additional NT$60.49 billion this year for new drug budgets, adjustments in drug payment policies, and temporary payment budgets, with NT$24.29 billion allocated specifically for temporary payments.
Lin Ya-hui (林雅惠), executive director of THRF, stressed the importance of clearly defining the fund's financial and legal frameworks. She pointed out the high costs of new cancer drugs used by a relatively small number of patients and urged the government to conduct financial analyses, plan for various scenarios, and thoroughly review regulations to ensure the fund's sustainability and effectively meet patient needs.
