Beginning September this year, Taiwan will expand its health insurance subsidies for the costly cholesterol treatment, thus helping about 5,000 cardiovascular disease patients to receive a cut on their medical bills.
A news release by the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) as reported by the website https://focustaiwan.tw said conditions such as coronary heart disease, stroke, peripheral artery disease and aortic disease are the main causes of cardiovascular disease, which is the second leading cause of death in Taiwan. It added that high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), commonly known as "bad cholesterol," are the key risk factor.
To tackle this disease, the NHIA will expand reimbursement for PCSK9 lipid-lowering biologics from 1 September 2025 by lowering the LDL-C threshold for coverage from 135 to 100 and extending treatment periods from six months to 12 months.
The agency said patients will save an average of NT$115,000 ($3,812) per year, while the programme will cost NT$443m annually. According to the NHIA, the new policy covers injectable biologics containing evolocumab and alirocumab, with clinical evidence showing these drugs can reduce LDL-C levels by 50 to 60%.
The NHIA explained that longer treatment periods will reduce paperwork for physicians and allow them to spend more time on patient care, and that this adjustment in coverage places Taiwan ahead of the UK in treatment access.