Taiwan Cancer Management
Cancer remains the leading cause of death in Taiwan. Experts agree that if the government is to achieve its policy objective of scientifically lowering Taiwan’s cancer mortality rate, it will need to increase funding for new cancer drugs, research, and clinical trials. The Taiwan authorities recently introduced the Taiwan Cancer Drug Fund Initiative that will create new prospects for U.S. businesses for cancer prevention and treatment technologies. While regulatory and market challenges exist, the cancer management sector in Taiwan’s healthcare market is rapidly growing and is showing promising prospects for U.S. exporters.
The Ministry of Health & Welfare (MoHW) in Taiwan has emphasized the necessity of implementing an integrated care system to address cancer and other chronic illnesses. To achieve this objective, the MoHW has proposed the Cancer Drug Fund with the goal of reaching a total of USD 333 million for innovative treatments, set to launch next year. However, consensus and details of the source of funding for the Fund have not yet been announced.
For cancer management, one of Taiwan’s top priorities is to reduce the mortality rate of lung cancer patients. The Taiwan health authorities’ s latest cancer report revealed that the number of new lung cancer cases has approached nearly 17,000 individuals annually, making it the new leading cancer type with the highest incidence rates. According to the MoHW mortality statistics in 2022, the number of deaths due to lung cancer in Taiwan reached a staggering 10,053 individuals. The mortality rate for lung cancer in Taiwan is higher than that of all the OECD countries, with a survival rate inferior to that of Japan and South Korea.
Identifying individuals at high-risk of developing lung cancer is crucial, and addressing this issue requires the government to increase its investment in prevention and control measures. In addition, early screening of patients becomes imperative to achieve this goal.
Currently, the government subsidizes four major cancer screening policies: mammography for breast cancer, Pap smears for cervical cancer, fecal occult blood tests for colorectal cancer, and oral mucosal examinations. Low-Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) screening for the lungs has been included in government subsidies as well.
The Cancer Drug Fund is modeled after the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Cancer Drugs Fund, which focuses on provisional payments for new drugs and cancer medications that haven’t completed Phase III clinical trials. Following the reimbursement model of the National Health Insurance (NHI), it serves as temporary funding.
U.S. businesses offering innovative cancer prevention and treatment technologies are encouraged to leverage Taiwan’s Cancer Drug Fund as part of their market entry strategy. U.S. pharma companies can partner with Taiwanese institutions or companies for joint R&D projects. This could include sharing expertise, resources, and funding to develop new cancer therapies. Partnering with a Taiwan company can also help U.S. companies navigate the regulatory and commercial landscape in Taiwan. CS Taiwan can assist U.S. companies find local partners in Taiwan.
CONTACT
For additional information, contact the U.S. Commercial Service in Taiwan, Grace Tao (Grace.Tao@trade.gov)