TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) aims to complete its review of newly approved Alzheimer’s drugs by the end of the year to determine whether they will be covered under the national health insurance system.
Alzheimer’s disease, the leading cause of dementia, currently affects about 350,000 people in Taiwan. Earlier this year, the country approved Kisunla and Leqembi—the first treatments in nearly two decades targeting the root cause of the disease.
Health Minister Chiu Tai-yuan (邱泰源) said Monday that before making a decision on coverage, the government will conduct a full clinical evaluation followed by a financial impact assessment to gauge long-term sustainability, per CNA.
Kisunla and Leqembi target amyloid-beta (Aβ) proteins, which accumulate in the brain and are believed to contribute to neuronal damage. While the role of Aβ in Alzheimer’s progression remains under debate, it has become a focus of new therapeutic strategies, according to the US National Library of Medicine.
The new medications are currently not covered by Taiwan’s health insurance system but are available to patients who can pay out of pocket. Each drug is estimated to cost over NT$1 million (US$33,870) annually.
NHIA Director General Shih Chung-liang (石崇良) said Sunday that one of the drugs has already submitted a formal application for reimbursement. He noted that standard reviews typically take about 45 days but may vary depending on the completeness of submitted data.
The process will include clinical trial results, assessments of efficacy and cost-effectiveness, and an analysis of the projected financial burden based on proposed pricing. Expert committees will then review the findings, followed by multi-party discussions with stakeholders.
The entire process is projected to span about six months, with formal discussions regarding coverage expected to commence by the end of this year.
Regardless of the outcome, Chiu emphasized that effective dementia care goes beyond pharmaceuticals. He highlighted the importance of early diagnosis and the establishment of shared care centers or community hubs to support patients and families.
