Ministry of Health and Welfare's May New Regulations: Expanded Health Insurance Coverage Estimated to Save Patients NT$2.16 Million Annually
Key facts
- Ministry of Health and Welfare's May New Regulations: Expanded Health Insurance Coverage Estimated to Save Patients NT$2.16 Million Annually
- Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) will expand health insurance coverage for 7 types of drugs, including 4 cancer drugs, starting in May. This move is estimated to save patients up to NT$2.16 million annually. The nationwide COVID-19 vaccination program will also continue until July 31.
- Source: 中央社 CNA
- Date: April 30, 2026
Direct answer
Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) will expand health insurance coverage for 7 types of drugs, including 4 cancer drugs, starting in May. This move is estimated to save patients up to NT$2.16 million annually. The nationwide COVID-19 vaccination program will also continue until July 31.
- Citation
- Ministry of Health and Welfare's May New Regulations: Expanded Health Insurance Coverage Estimated to Save Patients NT$2.16 Million Annually (April 30, 2026), 中央社 CNA
- Source
- 中央社 CNA
- Date
- April 30, 2026
Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) will expand health insurance coverage for 7 types of drugs, including 4 cancer drugs, starting in May. This move is estimated to save patients up to NT$2.16 million annually. The nationwide COVID-19 vaccination program will also continue until July 31.
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- 📰 Published: April 30, 2026 at 18:08
- 🔍 Collected: April 30, 2026 at 18:31 (23 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 30, 2026 at 18:39 (7 min after Collected)
Central News Agency (Taipei, April 30) - The Ministry of Health and Welfare today announced its new regulations for May, expanding health insurance coverage for 7 types of drugs, including 4 cancer drugs. Each patient could save up to NT$2.16 million annually. Other drugs for treating pulmonary hypertension, psoriasis, and macular edema under specific conditions are also included.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare today announced its new regulations for May, expanding coverage for faricimab component drug Vabysmo solution for intravitreal injection. The National Health Insurance Administration explained that beneficiaries are patients with macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion, allowing for extended dosing intervals. Its efficacy is comparable to existing covered drugs containing aflibercept.
The National Health Insurance Administration stated that the expanded regulations will take effect on May 1, becoming official health insurance coverage. It is estimated that the number of treated eyes will be approximately 352 to 1758 from the 1st to 5th year, with estimated drug costs of NT$0.027 billion to NT$0.172 billion. The annual drug cost per eye is about NT$98,000, with a financial impact saving of about NT$14,000 to NT$97,000.
This expanded drug coverage also includes bimekizumab component drugs. Beneficiaries are adult patients with plaque psoriasis, active psoriatic arthritis, and active ankylosing spondylitis. The National Health Insurance Administration stated that this drug is an IL-17 inhibitor, offering patients an additional treatment option.
The National Health Insurance Administration said that this drug will take effect on May 1 as official health insurance coverage. It is estimated that the number of treated patients will be approximately 362 to 1365 from the 1st to 5th year, with estimated drug costs of NT$0.099 billion to NT$0.365 billion. The annual drug cost per person is about NT$340,000 to NT$500,000, with a financial impact saving of about NT$30,000 to NT$16.03 million.
Combined macitentan/tadalafil component drug Opsynvi Film-Coated Tablets 10/20mg and 10/40mg are also on this expanded coverage list. The National Health Insurance Administration stated that beneficiaries are adult patients with pulmonary hypertension caused by connective tissue disease. This is a new combination drug, with clinical value similar to currently covered single-component drugs.
The National Health Insurance Administration said that this drug will take effect on May 1 as official health insurance coverage. It is estimated that the number of treated patients will be approximately 167 to 482 from the 1st to 5th year, with estimated drug costs of NT$0.123 billion to NT$0.354 billion. The annual drug cost per person is about NT$730,000, with a financial impact saving of about NT$50 million to NT$119 million.
Among the expanded cancer drugs is the rituximab component drug. Beneficiaries are adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma who have previously received at least one line of systemic therapy. It is estimated that the number of treated patients will be approximately 226 to 331 from the 1st to 5th year, with an annual drug cost per person of about NT$970,000. Estimated drug costs are NT$0.219 billion to NT$0.32 billion, with a financial impact saving of about NT$0.099 billion to NT$0.079 billion.
Additionally, the scope of use for ibrutinib component health insurance drugs has been relaxed for adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia without 17p deletion and for mantle cell lymphoma patients, and the use of encorafenib component drugs has been expanded for adult patients with BRAF V600E mutated metastatic colorectal cancer. Furthermore, coverage for cemiplimab component drugs has been expanded for adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer with genetic abnormalities.
In addition to expanded health insurance drug coverage, new regulations also include COVID-19 (2019 Coronavirus Disease) vaccination, open to all citizens aged 6 months and above until July 31 this year, to prevent possible epidemics during the summer and enhance health protection for high-risk groups. The CDC urges eligible citizens to get vaccinated to build immune protection. (Edited by Lee Shu-hua) 1150430
The Ministry of Health and Welfare today announced its new regulations for May, expanding coverage for faricimab component drug Vabysmo solution for intravitreal injection. The National Health Insurance Administration explained that beneficiaries are patients with macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion, allowing for extended dosing intervals. Its efficacy is comparable to existing covered drugs containing aflibercept.
The National Health Insurance Administration stated that the expanded regulations will take effect on May 1, becoming official health insurance coverage. It is estimated that the number of treated eyes will be approximately 352 to 1758 from the 1st to 5th year, with estimated drug costs of NT$0.027 billion to NT$0.172 billion. The annual drug cost per eye is about NT$98,000, with a financial impact saving of about NT$14,000 to NT$97,000.
This expanded drug coverage also includes bimekizumab component drugs. Beneficiaries are adult patients with plaque psoriasis, active psoriatic arthritis, and active ankylosing spondylitis. The National Health Insurance Administration stated that this drug is an IL-17 inhibitor, offering patients an additional treatment option.
The National Health Insurance Administration said that this drug will take effect on May 1 as official health insurance coverage. It is estimated that the number of treated patients will be approximately 362 to 1365 from the 1st to 5th year, with estimated drug costs of NT$0.099 billion to NT$0.365 billion. The annual drug cost per person is about NT$340,000 to NT$500,000, with a financial impact saving of about NT$30,000 to NT$16.03 million.
Combined macitentan/tadalafil component drug Opsynvi Film-Coated Tablets 10/20mg and 10/40mg are also on this expanded coverage list. The National Health Insurance Administration stated that beneficiaries are adult patients with pulmonary hypertension caused by connective tissue disease. This is a new combination drug, with clinical value similar to currently covered single-component drugs.
The National Health Insurance Administration said that this drug will take effect on May 1 as official health insurance coverage. It is estimated that the number of treated patients will be approximately 167 to 482 from the 1st to 5th year, with estimated drug costs of NT$0.123 billion to NT$0.354 billion. The annual drug cost per person is about NT$730,000, with a financial impact saving of about NT$50 million to NT$119 million.
Among the expanded cancer drugs is the rituximab component drug. Beneficiaries are adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma who have previously received at least one line of systemic therapy. It is estimated that the number of treated patients will be approximately 226 to 331 from the 1st to 5th year, with an annual drug cost per person of about NT$970,000. Estimated drug costs are NT$0.219 billion to NT$0.32 billion, with a financial impact saving of about NT$0.099 billion to NT$0.079 billion.
Additionally, the scope of use for ibrutinib component health insurance drugs has been relaxed for adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia without 17p deletion and for mantle cell lymphoma patients, and the use of encorafenib component drugs has been expanded for adult patients with BRAF V600E mutated metastatic colorectal cancer. Furthermore, coverage for cemiplimab component drugs has been expanded for adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer with genetic abnormalities.
In addition to expanded health insurance drug coverage, new regulations also include COVID-19 (2019 Coronavirus Disease) vaccination, open to all citizens aged 6 months and above until July 31 this year, to prevent possible epidemics during the summer and enhance health protection for high-risk groups. The CDC urges eligible citizens to get vaccinated to build immune protection. (Edited by Lee Shu-hua) 1150430
FAQ
What are the key facts in this article?
Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) will expand health insurance coverage for 7 types of drugs, including 4 cancer drugs, starting in May. This move is estimated to save patients up to NT$2.16 million annually. The nationwide COVID-19 vaccination program will also continue until July 31.
What is the direct answer?
Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) will expand health insurance coverage for 7 types of drugs, including 4 cancer drugs, starting in May. This move is estimated to save patients up to NT$2.16 million annually. The nationwide COVID-19 vaccination program will also continue until July 31.
What is the source and date?
中央社 CNA: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/ahel/202604300272.aspx | April 30, 2026