Expected to Benefit 20,000 Cancer Patients Annually, Ushering in a New Era of Precision Medicine for Cancer in Taiwan
Cancer has long been the leading cause of death in Taiwan, with related medical expenses reaching nearly NT$140 billion in 2023, accounting for almost 20% of the national healthcare budget. Reflecting the significant demand for health insurance resources for cancer treatment, Next Generation Sequencing （NGS） plays a critical role in precision medicine. The Ministry of Health and Welfare included NGS for 19 types of cancer under national health insurance coverage on May 1st. By detecting biomarkers to identify gene mutations and evaluate the precise administration of targeted drugs, approximately 20,000 cancer patients are expected to benefit annually.
The "Pioneering the Pilot Program and Extending NHI Coverage—Launching a New Era of Precision Medicine for Cancer" press conference, organized by the National Health Research Institutes and co-organized by Roche, was held today （14th）. Distinguished guests, including Chung-liang Shih, Director-General of the National Health Insurance Administration （NHIA）, Gi-Ming Lai, CEO of the Formosa Cancer Foundation, Huey-Kang Sytwu, President of the National Health Research Institutes, and James Chih-Hsin Yang, Superintendent of the National Taiwan University Cancer Center （NTUCC）, among others, attended. The special guest, former Minister of Health and Welfare Shih-Chung Chen, symbolically initiated the hourglass to signify the accumulation of pilot projects and the concrete implementation of national health insurance coverage, collectively witnessing Taiwan's entry into a new era of precision cancer treatment aligned with international medical trends.
National Health Research Institutes, Pharmaceutical Companies, and Hospitals Collaborate Across Disciplines to Establish Taiwan’s First Local Gene Database, Pioneering a New Era of Precision Medicine for Cancer
President Huey-Kang Sytwu highlighted that the "Cancer Precision Medicine and Biobank Integration Platform Collaboration Pilot Program" exemplifies interdisciplinary collaboration, including the National Health Research Institutes, Ministry of Health and Welfare, five international pharmaceutical companies （Roche, Chugai Pharma Taiwan, Merck Taiwan, Eli Lilly Taiwan, and Novartis Taiwan）, and 17 hospitals （National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, E-Da Hospital, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Changhua Christian Hospital, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, and Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Lotung Poh-Ai Hospital）.
This cross-departmental and cross-institutional collaboration provides comprehensive genetic testing and intelligent analysis, offering precise clinical medical decision support to physicians. The cancers included are lung cancer and the five major gastrointestinal cancers. The program successfully established Taiwan's first local Clinical-Genomic Database （CGDB）, aiming to accumulate real-world data to accelerate future drug development and approval processes. As of May 2024, nearly 2,000 valuable real-world clinical and cancer genetic data entries have been collected, providing a precious resource for future research and clinical applications.
President Sytwu expressed that this program not only promotes the development of Taiwan's precision medicine system but also advances the establishment and application of medical big data, further accelerating the research and approval of new drugs, bringing new treatment hope to cancer patients in Taiwan. He expressed deep gratitude to all participating pharmaceutical companies and hospitals for their joint efforts, which enabled the successful implementation of this program, opening a new chapter for medical innovation in Taiwan.
Pharmaceutical Executives' Statements on the Pilot Program
Hideto Ikeda, General Manager of Merck Taiwan's Healthcare Business, said, "Merck is honored to participate in this significant national program and contribute to Taiwan's alignment with global precision medicine trends. As a leading science and technology company globally, Merck will continue to promote medical innovation and intelligent healthcare, enhancing patient welfare and realizing the vision of a 'Healthy Taiwan.'"
Takashi Okamoto, President & General Manager of Chugai Pharma Taiwan, expressed, "We are honored to participate in this important program promoting precision medicine in Taiwan, and we sincerely hope that the outcomes will greatly benefit future cancer patients."
Hidehito Katsuma, General Manager of Eli Lilly Taiwan, remarked, "As a partner in the healthcare system, Eli Lilly is pleased to have previously collaborated with the National Health Research Institutes to promote the 'Cancer Precision Medicine and Biobank Integration Platform Collaboration Pilot Program' and to see the initiation of NGS coverage under national health insurance. Through joint efforts, we aim to accelerate the development of precision medicine in Taiwan and establish real-world data for biobanks."
Girish Mulye, General Manager of Roche Pharma Taiwan, stated, "We are pleased to see Roche and the National Health Research Institutes' pilot program become the cornerstone of precision medical treatment in Taiwan, and for it to continue under national policy."
Genetic Testing Drives Innovation in Cancer Precision Treatment in Taiwan, Providing the Most Appropriate Cancer Treatment Strategies for Physicians and Patients, Leading to Global Excellence
Chih-Hsin Yang, Superintendent of NTUCC, shared his clinical perspective on NGS testing and national health insurance coverage policies, pointing out that these advancements will enable Taiwan to maintain a leading position in global cancer treatment. Taiwan has been promoting personalized precision medicine for many years, enabling physicians to make more accurate clinical decisions through genetic testing and intelligent analysis. It is hoped that this will significantly improve patients' treatment outcomes and quality of life while reducing ineffective medication, ensuring more efficient use of health insurance budgets.
Gi-Ming Lai, CEO of the Formosa Cancer Foundation, believes that including NGS in national health insurance coverage is a major breakthrough, significantly reducing the financial burden on cancer patients and bringing them substantial hope. Dr. Lai shared many cancer patients' sentiments, expressing their great comfort in receiving more accurate and personalized treatment. The implementation of this policy allows patients to receive more precise treatment recommendations, thereby improving treatment effectiveness and success rates. Dr. Lai noted that this not only enhances the quality of treatment but also provides practical support to patients and their families in waiting for treatment decisions.
The implementation of the NGS coverage policy not only reduces patients' financial burdens but also ensures they receive the most appropriate treatment when needed, thereby improving treatment success rates and reducing unnecessary medical expenses. While promoting precision treatment for cancer, it is evident that Taiwan is gradually establishing a more efficient and sustainable health protection system.