TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's health minister announced Tuesday (April 15) that contingency plans are in place to safeguard the island's medication supply chain following a U.S. Commerce Department investigation that could lead to pharmaceutical tariffs. Chiu Tai-yuan (邱泰源) said the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MHW, 衛福部), Taiwan's national health agency, has developed strategies to maintain medication availability despite potential trade disruptions.
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) led cabinet officials to the Legislative Yuan, Taiwan's parliament, for a scheduled report when Chiu spoke with reporters. The health minister emphasized his agency's preparedness for potential price fluctuations in critical imported medications. Despite no immediate pharmaceutical tariff impacts, Chiu acknowledged that future trade actions could affect pricing. He pointed to Taiwan's adaptable drug pricing mechanisms as a safeguard to maintain stable imports regardless of international trade tensions.
The health minister specifically noted that American pharmaceuticals constitute approximately 10% of Taiwan's medication imports, with cancer treatments being particularly significant. These critical supplies will receive heightened monitoring to protect public health interests, Chiu assured. The concerns follow Monday's announcement that the U.S. administration will invoke Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, initiating investigations that could lead to tariffs on various products including semiconductors, artificial intelligence components, and pharmaceutical goods. ★