US President Donald Trump’s tariffs could potentially compromise Taiwan’s access to affordable US-made medical drugs that have no generic alternatives, a top health official told lawmakers yesterday.
Taiwan sources 176 medical drugs from the US, including 72 key, life-saving medicines that cannot be replaced due to restrictions on patented formulae, National Health Insurance Administration Director-General Shih Chung-liang (石崇良) said at a meeting at the Legislative Yuan in Taipei.
He made the comments in response to expressions of concern from lawmakers that Washington’s tariffs on pharmaceutical chemical importers could raise the cost of US-made drugs that Taiwan depends on.
Photo: CNA
Speaking about the state of Taiwan’s medical imports, Shih said a rise in pharmaceutical costs would negatively impact Taiwanese, as the National Health Insurance (NHI) does not cover many crucial drugs made in the US.
The critical medical drugs whose costs might see steep increases include 24 drugs needed by people with cancer or who are immunocompromised and 18 drugs used for hematological conditions or infections, he said.
Taiwan also imports three types of medical equipment from the US that are rarely used, but nearly impossible to replace, he said.
The nation buys 83 percent of NHI-covered drugs from domestic sources and imports most of its foreign-made drugs from Europe, but the US exerts control over many types of hard-to-replace cancer drugs, he said.
US entities own 214 certificates for manufacturing medical drugs and equipment in Taiwan, including 60 that cover a product with an active patent, he said.
The government does not foresee drug shortages in the immediate future and is implementing measures to create a reserve of medicines in case of disruption to supply chains, Minister of Health and Welfare Chiu Tai-yuan (邱泰源) said.
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday thanked Palau for its continued support of Taiwan's international participation, as Taipei was once again excluded from the World Health Assembly (WHA) currently taking place in Switzerland. "Palau has never stopped voicing support for Taiwan" in the UN General Assembly, the WHO and other UN-affiliated agencies, Lai said during a bilateral meeting with visiting Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. "We have been profoundly touched by these endorsements," Lai said, praising the Pacific island nation's firm support as "courageous." Lai's remarks came as Taiwan was excluded for the ninth consecutive year from the WHA, which is being held in
RESOLUTIONS DEBATE: Taiwan’s allies said that UN and WHA resolutions cited by China and other nations ‘do not determine Taiwan’s participation in WHO activities’ A proposal to invite Taiwan to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was rejected on Monday, resulting in Taipei’s absence from the annual meeting for a ninth consecutive year, although partners spoke up for Taiwan’s participation at the first day of the meeting. The first agenda item after the opening was a “two-on-two debate” on a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate at the WHA as an observer. Similar to previous years, two countries made statements in favor of the proposal, while two others expressed their opposition. Philippine Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa, president of the 78th WHA, accepted the WHA General Committee’s
At least three people died and more than a dozen were injured yesterday afternoon when a vehicle struck a group of pedestrians in New Taipei City’s Sansia District (三峽). The incident happened at about 4pm when a car rammed into pedestrians at an intersection near Bei Da Elementary School. Witnesses said the sedan, being driven at a high speed, ran a red light, knocking scooters out of the way and hitting students crossing the road before careening into a median near the intersection of Guocheng and Guoguang streets. The incident resulted in three deaths and 13 injuries, including the driver, a 78-year-old man
RSS