TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Prices for drugs covered under the National Health Insurance program will be adjusted in April, marking the smallest changes since the current pricing system began 13 years ago, the National Health Insurance Administration announced Wednesday.

The Drug Expenditure Target system manages the NHI program’s total spending on covered drugs. Each year, prices are reviewed based on factors such as demand and clinical necessity and adjusted as needed to control spending while maintaining patient access, according to CNA and Health Media Now.

This year, 12,652 drugs were reviewed, of which 2,343 are scheduled for price adjustments. Among these, 2,245 will see reductions, while 98 will be increased.

The upcoming adjustments are expected to lower NHI’s spending on covered drugs by NT$3.6 billion. Last year, spending on drugs was reduced by NT$4.85 billion, affecting 3,184 medicines.

Huang Yu-wen (黃育文), head of the NHIA’s Medical Review and Pharmaceutical Benefits Division, said the smaller cuts reflect multiple factors, including inflation and US tariffs. To ensure patient access, prices for essential drugs, such as antibiotics and insulin, will remain unchanged despite supply shortages.

Huang added that international and domestic manufacturers have adjusted production lines over the past year. To avoid potential shortages, prices for scarce drugs with fewer than three domestically produced alternatives will also remain unchanged.

The adjustments are expected to provide flexibility for including new drugs and technologies under the NHI program. Part of the savings from price reductions will support the introduction of new treatments and help expand patient access to innovative therapies.