The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yesterday announced the release of an app that allows people to download information about over-the-counter drugs by scanning the barcode on packaging.
Division of Controlled Drugs official Chen Ko-hsin (陳可欣) told a news conference in Taipei that the agency developed the app to make it more convenient for people to choose drugs, as they can read more detailed information about the drugs by using a mobile device to scan the barcode instead of relying on material printed on the packaging.
The app also uses GPS to help people locate pharmacies in their proximity to consult pharmacists about drugs, Chen said.
The app, which has a Chinese name meaning “drug scanner” (藥掃描), has six main features, with food and drug-related news updates, drug information, a drug license inquiry system and a frequently asked questions section alongside the barcode scanner and GPS features, Chen said.
Chen said people can share drug-safety information through the app, as well as confirming rumors about drugs.
Chen said that an example of the information in the frequently asked questions section is a report on the idea that steroids can harm the stomach, liver and kidneys.
The app reports that the idea is accurate and such substances should be avoided, Chen said.
The first global hotel Keys Selection by the Michelin Guide includes four hotels in Taiwan, Michelin announced yesterday. All four received the “Michelin One Key,” indicating guests are to experience a “very special stay” at any of the locations as the establishments are “a true gem with personality. Service always goes the extra mile, and the hotel provides much more than others in its price range.” Of the four hotels, three are located in Taipei and one in Taichung. In Taipei, the One Key accolades were awarded to the Capella Taipei, Kimpton Da An Taipei and Mandarin Oriental Taipei. Capella Taipei was described by
EVA Airways today confirmed the death of a flight attendant on Saturday upon their return to Taiwan and said an internal investigation has been launched, as criticism mounted over a social media post accusing the airline of failing to offer sufficient employee protections. According to the post, the flight attendant complained of feeling sick on board a flight, but was unable to take sick leave or access medical care. The crew member allegedly did not receive assistance from the chief purser, who failed to heed their requests for medical attention or call an ambulance once the flight landed, the post said. As sick
Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫) yesterday said that private-sector refiners are willing to stop buying Russian naphtha should the EU ask them to, after a group of non-governmental organizations, including the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), criticized the nation’s continued business with the country. While Taiwan joined the US and its Western allies in putting broad sanctions on Russia after it invaded Ukraine in 2022, it did not explicitly ban imports of naphtha, a major hard-currency earner for Russia. While state-owned firms stopped importing Russian oil in 2023, there is no restriction on private companies to
INDUSTRY: Beijing’s latest export measures go beyond targeting the US and would likely affect any country that uses Chinese rare earths or related tech, an academic said Taiwanese industries could face significant disruption from China’s newly tightened export controls on rare earth elements, as much of Taiwan’s supply indirectly depends on Chinese materials processed in Japan, a local expert said yesterday. Kristy Hsu (徐遵慈), director of the Taiwan ASEAN Studies Center at the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research, said that China’s latest export measures go far beyond targeting the US and would likely affect any country that uses Chinese rare earths or related technologies. With Japan and Southeast Asian countries among those expected to be hit, Taiwan could feel the impact through its reliance on Japanese-made semi-finished products and
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