Cancer has remained among the top ten causes of death in Taiwan for 43 consecutive years, making timely treatment crucial for patients. Beginning October 1, the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) under the Ministry of Health and Welfare will cover multiple cancer therapies. A total of 10 new drugs will be included, either under temporary reimbursement or expanded indications, benefiting patients with blood cancers, lung cancer, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and more—affecting over 2,000 individuals.

The NHIA stated that starting in October, drugs containing amivantamab will be provisionally reimbursed. Eligible patients are adults with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations, receiving first-line treatment in combination with carboplatin and pemetrexed. Clinical trials have shown that this drug provides clear improvements in progression-free survival and objective response rates compared to standard chemotherapy. The projected number of treated patients over the first five years is 99 to 144, with estimated drug costs ranging from NT$319 million to NT$463 million.

For adults with FLT3-ITD positive acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the NHIA will provisionally cover Vanflyta F.C. Tablets starting in October. Two drugs are included under this coverage, with an estimated 88 to 123 patients treated annually over the first five years, and projected drug costs of NT$34 million to NT$125 million.

Regarding new breast cancer treatments, NHIA will cover drugs containing sacituzumab govitecan, such as Trodelvy, for adults with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer. Clinical trials have shown that this therapy offers longer median progression-free survival compared to chemotherapy, and the urgent clinical need among hormone receptor-positive patients aligns with international treatment guidelines. The estimated number of treated patients over the first five years is 761 to 686, with projected drug costs of NT$865 million to NT$779 million.

From October, the NHIA will also provide new treatment options for patients aged 13 and above, weighing over 40 kg, with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). Drugs containing crovalimab, a rare new therapy for PNH administered subcutaneously, will be temporarily reimbursed. An estimated 40 to 64 patients are expected to benefit, with projected drug costs of NT$334 million to NT$464 million.

For adults with intermediate- to high-risk myelofibrosis accompanied by moderate to severe anemia, who are ineligible for JAK inhibitors or stem cell transplantation, drugs containing momelotinib will be covered. Based on Phase III clinical trial results showing reduced transfusion dependence, an estimated 263 to 457 patients are expected to benefit, with projected drug costs of NT$248 million to NT$430 million.

Finally, for patients aged two and above with active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, drugs containing tofacitinib will be reimbursed. Currently, NHIA coverage for pediatric arthritis primarily includes injectable treatments. Adding an oral option aims to reduce the stress and anxiety associated with injections for both patients and families. An estimated 13 to 26 patients are expected to benefit, with projected drug costs of NT$3.63 million to NT$7.19 million.

Resource: 抗癌治療再升級！健保10月起給付10款新藥 逾2000病友受惠