Characteristics of the implementation of managed entry agreements for drug reimbursement in Taiwan
台灣藥品給付協議實施特性分析
Journal
Taiwan Journal of Public Health
Journal Volume
41
Journal Issue
4
Pages
383-395
Date Issued
2022-08-01
Author(s)
Kao, Ya Chih
Abstract
Objectives: The study investigated the characteristics of managed entry agreements (MEAs) in Taiwan by using open data. Methods: Data were derived from the official website of the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA). The MEAs requested during the Pharmaceutical Benefit and Reimbursement Scheme Joint committee (PBRS) meeting to be signed between NHIA and the industry were investigated. Results: Between October 2018 and October 2021,77 MEAs were requested,12 of which have not been concluded. Among the signed MEAs, three were agreed to be terminated, and re-discussion was requested for two. Among the required agreements, 63 (82%) were finance-based MEAs, 4 (5%) were performance-based MEAs, and 10 (13%) were unspecified. An analysis of the therapeutic areas of the drugs listed in the MEAs by using the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification system revealed that most drugs were antineoplastic and immunomodulating drugs (ATC-L, approximately 73%), followed by anti-infectives for systemic use (ATC-J, approximately 12%). Conclusions: The focus of payers on drug reimbursement varies from country to country; in the local PBRS meeting, focus was identified as the main issue relating to drug budget impact. MEAs allow the NHIA to discuss with the pharmaceutical companies regarding a confidential discount or payment cap of a treatment course to facilitate patient access to new drugs while managing the healthcare expenditure.
Subjects
drug reimbursement | managed entry agreement
Publisher
Taiwan Public Health Association
Type
journal article