TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's health authorities on Wednesday (April 16) raised concerns about the U.S. tariffs' potential impact on the island's pharmaceutical supply chains, prompting preemptive action. The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW, 衛生福利部), Taiwan's national health agency, has already implemented a monitoring platform and identified critical medications to safeguard against potential shortages.
The health ministry is actively promoting domestic pharmaceutical production, with regulatory changes anticipated before May to strengthen the industry. These initiatives seek to enhance Taiwan's medical supply independence while maintaining reasonable costs for patients. Health Minister Chiu Tai-yuan (邱泰源) explained that pharmaceutical companies experiencing financial pressure from currency fluctuations or rising production expenses can request pricing adjustments through the National Health Insurance Administration (健康保健署), Taiwan's universal healthcare management agency.
Minister Chiu stressed that Taiwan presently maintains adequate pharmaceutical supplies despite international concerns. Officials stand ready to intervene promptly should the monitoring system identify emerging shortages, prioritizing both quality and affordability. Recent ministry data reveals Taiwan has issued 11,454 active pharmaceutical permits, with nearly three-quarters (72.6%) granted to domestically produced medications while imported drugs constitute 27.4% of approved medications.
Patient advocacy organizations representing cancer sufferers have voiced apprehension regarding possible cost increases for critical oncology medications imported from the United States. Minister Chiu countered these concerns by noting that price increases remain speculative rather than inevitable. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to maintaining patient access to essential treatments through expanded financial allocations specifically designated for cancer medications. ★
