The National Health Insurance (NHI) Committee has decided to include a new oral drug for hepatitis C into next year’s budget.
The NHI budget for next year is to rise 5 percent to NT$650 billion (US$20.75 billion), of which NT$3 billion will be allocated for the treatment of hepatitis C, including the new oral drug, the committee said after a meeting yesterday.
Discussions about whether the drug should be covered by the NHI system have been going on for months. While the drug is more expensive than other drugs on the market, doctors have said it would shorten treatment time and has fewer side effects.
Committee Executive Secretary Chou Shu-wan (周淑婉) said the NT$3 billion that would be allocated for hepatitis C treatment would cover current treatment methods, including the common combination of oral medication along with interferon, and the new oral drug.
However, the meeting did not reach a consensus on which part of the NHI budget should cover the expense, as representatives of the insured said hospitals should cover NT$2.655 billion of the expense for treating hepatitis C, while representatives of hospitals thought it should be covered by the NHI system’s other departments.
The opinions will be presented to Minister of Health and Welfare Lin Tzou-yien (林奏延), who will make the final decision, she said.
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