TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan faces withdrawal of 47 pharmaceutical products from its market by September 2025, with only one organ transplant medication lacking substitutes. Health Minister Shih Chung-liang (石崇良) announced the development Sunday (Oct. 12), emphasizing that most medications have available alternatives. The Ministry of Health and Welfare (衛福部) confirmed all affected drugs are older medications with domestic generic alternatives available.
Minister Shih confirmed existing stock of the organ transplant drug will last until late 2026, with the government importing it on a special basis thereafter. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, 食藥署) considers requiring six-month advance notice for drug withdrawals to manage supply shortages effectively. The proposed policy aims to prevent panic buying and hoarding during pharmaceutical transitions in Taiwan's healthcare system.
Lian-Yu Chen (陳亮妤), director of the National Health Insurance Administration (中央健康保險署), Taiwan's universal healthcare agency, established a single-window interface with the FDA's drug supply notification platform for enhanced coordination. The system provides real-time updates to medical institutions nationwide, enabling prompt responses to pharmaceutical supply changes. This integration streamlines communication between regulatory authorities and healthcare providers across Taiwan's medical network.
The Executive Yuan (行政院), Taiwan's cabinet, injected NT$20 billion (around US$653 million) into the national health insurance fund in 2025 to ensure continuous pharmaceutical supply nationwide. The funding stabilizes pharmaceutical supply chains and supports local manufacturing of generic and biosimilar drugs across Taiwan. Chen confirmed price protection mechanisms prevent adjustments for essential medications, guaranteeing drug availability and affordability for Taiwanese citizens. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$30.638)
