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
The advent of genome-based medicine and pharmacogenomics (the medical field that analyzes the reasons why people have different reactions to similar treatment) is expected to transform the medical regulatory environment in Japan. As the human genome is decoded, development of new medicines... Read More
Malaysia reported medical-related products exports of RM 1 billion (US$0.26 billion) in the first six months of 2002. Much of these exports include rubber surgical gloves, dental and surgical instruments, electro-medical and x-ray equipment, needles, catheters and syringes. The Malaysian government wishes... Read More
The South Korean government announced the passing of a new bill banning the cloning of human cells starting next year. The bill that was finalized on September 24, 2002, will restrict the cloning of human cells as well as somatic cells. The... Read More
On January 1, 2003, China’s retail pharmaceutical market will be open to foreign competition for the first time since the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. Previously, foreign medical retail companies were only able to do business in China through joint... Read More
China’s over-the-counter (OTC) market is growing fast and is expected to be the largest OTC market in the world within the next decade. In 2000, revenues from OTC sales in China reached RMB 12 billion (US$1.5 billion) and by 2005 this figure... Read More
Singapore’s Economic Review Committee recently released a report outlining its recommendations to lift the 3% goods and services tax that is currently levied on healthcare services within the country. Should the proposed tax lifting be implemented, both foreign and local users of... Read More
On October 1, 2002, F. Hoffman-La Roche Ltd., a Swiss pharmaceutical company, merged with Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. The merger will make Chugai a subsidiary of Nippon Roche K.K., Roche’s division in Japan. The name Chugai Pharmaceutical will be retained, however, Nippon... Read More
The Japanese Health Insurance Reform Bill was enacted at the end of July 2002. This reform will shift healthcare cost burdens towards the active workers and the elderly. The main changes as a result of the bill are as follows: Co-payment for... Read More