The NHIA approved several drugs for clinical treatment for patients, such as targeted drugs for early-stage breast cancer patients who have not developed axillary lymph node metastasis, growth hormone treatment for Noonan syndrome, new and safer drug options for Pompe disease, and biologics for adolescents aged 12 to 17 years with severe asthma who did not respond to steroids.
According to clinical trials, targeted drug treatment for HER2 positive early-stage breast cancer patients with tumors bigger than 2cm and without lymph node metastasis can help patients significantly reduce recurrence or metastasis risks. Therefore, the Pharmaceutical Benefit and Reimbursement Scheme Joint Committee (PBRS) approved coverage of trastuzumab for "HER2 overexpression, estrogen receptor (ER) negative, tumor larger than 2cm, and no axillary lymph node metastasis”for early-stage breast cancer patients. The NHIA has negotiated prices with many manufacturers, and finally reached an agreement with some drug dealers. Thus, this expanded coverage is applicable to biologics of which prices have been settled. About 510 breast cancer patients will benefit.
In order to safeguard the medical rights of the genetic disease and rare disease patients, the NHIA continues to make drugs available for more patients. The PBRS also approved to cover somatropin growth hormone preparations for children with Noonan syndrome. About 64 children will benefit. In addition, for patients with Pompe disease, a new drug containing avalglucosidase alfa that has received a drug license and proven to be effective and safe has been introduced to replace current drugs.
Furthermore, for the adolescents, because the biologics currently covered by NHI for severe asthma patients with eosinophilic leukocytes are only for adults, the PBRS has approved to expand the coverage to patients aged over 12. Meanwhile, if oral steroids are ineffective for adolescent patients, drugs containing mepolizumab will be available for the patients and covered by the NHI. The expansion of the drug coverage is expected to benefit 163 adolescent patients.