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(Source-BIO Asia–Taiwan 2024)
The 2024 Asian Biotechnology Exhibition (BIO Asia-Taiwan 2024) concluded on July 30, showcasing significant developments in biotechnology across Asia. The event featured the “Biosimilar Drug Hospital Summit,” a collaborative effort between the Taiwan Nongovernmental Hospitals and Clinics Association and the Biosimilar Drug Function Committee of the Taiwan Bio Industry Organisation (TBIO). The summit aimed to promote innovative drug development and emphasized a pilot program designed to boost the use of biosimilar drugs. Deputy Director Pang Yiming of the Central Health Insurance Agency and Huang Yuwen, leader of the Medical Review and Medicinal Materials Section of the National Health Insurance Administration, provided insights into the program. The summit also facilitated discussions among domestic and international experts on policy implementation, with participation from 19 local medical institutions and pharmacy management leaders to review the pilot plan’s objectives and prospects.
Pilot Program to Enhance Biosimilar Drug Usage
At BIO Asia-Taiwan 2024, a pilot program was launched on July 1st, aiming to increase biosimilar drug prescriptions to over 30% within three years. Biosimilar drugs, which replicate the ingredients of original drugs and have demonstrated equivalent efficacy and safety through clinical trials, offer a cost-effective alternative once the original patents expire. This initiative is backed by a special allocation of 50 million NTD (approximately 1.5 million USD) from the “Medical Benefit Improvement Program.” The program seeks to incentivize the use of biosimilar drugs through issuance incentives and cost balance feedback, with an annual review process to monitor progress.
Senior consultants from the British National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and domestic pharmacy directors shared their experiences at the conference. Since implementing a similar policy in 2017, the UK has promoted cost-effective drug options, saving over 250 million pounds (approximately NT$10 billion or 320 million USD) annually. This approach included sharing 50% of the cost savings with medical institutions and evaluating policy effectiveness. Taiwan has seen positive results from its incentive policies, treating over a thousand additional patients at the same drug cost, with no adverse reactions reported compared to original drugs.
Policy Recommendations and Future Directions at BIO Asia-Taiwan 2024
The summit also featured discussions led by Vice President Hong Ziren of Shin Kong Hospital on policy recommendations. The meeting proposed expanding rewards for biosimilar drugs based on current negotiations and increasing resource allocation for pharmacists and managers. Recent amendments to the National Health Insurance Law were highlighted, which aim to provide coverage for biosimilar drugs while allowing patients to opt for original drugs with an out-of-pocket difference. The meeting stressed the importance of aligning health insurance payment standards for biosimilar drugs with established treatment guidelines.
These policy improvements are expected to enhance drug treatment protection for patients. With ten large-molecule drug patents set to expire in the coming years, establishing supportive policies for biosimilar drugs is deemed crucial. The government plans to reinvest the savings from reduced drug costs into new medical technologies, aiming to balance cost reductions with advancements in patient care.
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