In an effort to prevent and reduce errors in administering medication, Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan (Council) ratified a revision of the Pharmacy Law on January, 14, 2003, requiring that all medicines sold in Taiwan must have labels in Chinese. Due to increased instances... Read More
On March 1, 2003, the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Bureau (NHIB) slashed as much as 50% of the subsidies it pays to hospitals for prescription medicines. In order to lower the budget deficit currently troubling the National Health Insurance program, the cut... Read More
As Asian countries begin to adopt more western lifestyles and foods, “western” diseases are becoming more prevalent killers in Asia. Economic transition, urbanization, and technological development have brought about lifestyle changes that have increased the chances for heart disease in Asia. Developing... Read More
With the help of University of Chicago professor Chin-Tu Chen, Taiwanese medical equipment makers are determined to strengthen their position in the international market. Dr. Chen was invited by Taiwan’s National Health Research Institute (NHRI) to assist in the development of the... Read More
Slowing economies have not stopped Asian countries from moving ahead with medical device regulatory reforms. Asian consumers demand high-quality healthcare products, making it worthwhile for American manufactures to be active in the region. Procedures and practices vary according to country. This article... Read More
Taiwan invested over NT$20 billion (US$571 million) in biotechnology in 2001, up over 100 percent compared to 2000. Premier Chang Chun-hsiung announced last year that Taiwan’s government plans to increase its NT$10 billion (US$285.5 million) annual investment in biotechnology by 25 percent... Read More
In Taiwan, the term “pharmaceuticals” refers to both Western medicines and traditional Chinese herbal medicines. There are roughly 250 registered herbal medicine producers in Taiwan and 280 registered Western medicine manufacturers. Taiwan’s pharmaceutical industry grossed US$2.52 billion in sales in 2000, up... Read More
Taiwan’s Quality System Documentation (QSD) system requires device manufacturers to pass a “paper audit” before medical devices can be registered in that country. QSD is part of Taiwan’s Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) system, implemented for medical devices in early 1999. Under Taiwan’s... Read More
The Taiwanese government has promised to invest US$1.6 billion for biotechnology research and development projects over the next several years. This is in addition to the approximately US$4 billion private Taiwanese companies have invested in this sector (a significant portion of private... Read More
Despite sluggish economies in some countries, Asia still represents future growth opportunities in healthcare products. Over the next 20 years, Asian healthcare markets are expected to grow at a rate two and a half times that of the West. A rising standard... Read More