讀後心得

Trump announced unprecedented high tariffs on pharmaceuticals, which may affect Taiwanese pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers. Hu Youpu, former director of the National Health Insurance Administration, urged the government to formulate response measures in advance, while the pharmacist association also expressed concerns that drug shortages would worsen. He pointed out that the government should not follow the U.S. in raising pharmaceutical tariffs in Taiwan, but should consider subsidizing drug prices and reducing export tariffs on health foods. Furthermore, higher tariffs will have a greater impact on manufacturers of raw materials and generic drugs. Regarding Taiwan's orchid industry, facing a 33% tariff from the U.S., the industry's prospects are concerning, and farmers are unsure how to respond. With rising global pharmaceutical costs, Taiwan's health insurance system keeps drug profits low, which may affect the pharmaceutical market.

The President of the United States has announced that in the near future, tariffs will be imposed on "drugs" at an unprecedented level, which will have a significant impact on domestic pharmaceutical and medical device companies. The supervisory committee of the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industry Association and the former director of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Department urged the government to plan relevant contingency measures and long-term industry development directions in advance. The Pharmacists' Association expressed concerns that this could worsen the drug shortage crisis.

Relevant individuals stated that the government should not follow the United States in raising the tariffs on Taiwanese drugs simply because the U.S. has increased its tariffs. They suggested that the government should subsidize drug prices. Moreover, imposing taxes will have little impact on international patent-holding export pharmaceutical companies, but export manufacturers of raw pharmaceuticals and generic drugs, as well as the recently promoted CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization), will face greater shocks. To avoid issues related to high tariffs on domestically produced goods, some suggested that the government should subsidize companies to lease or purchase local factories in the United States or low-tariff countries to enhance price competitiveness while also recommending a reduction in export tariffs on health foods.

The chairman of the National Pharmacists' Association stated that as global pharmaceutical costs rise, prices will also increase. Additionally, Taiwan's National Health Insurance system has led to low drug profits, which may result in pharmaceutical companies prioritizing the exclusion of the Taiwanese market. With the new regulations coming into effect, Taiwan will be the first to bear the brunt.

Furthermore, Taiwan's agricultural products will also be affected. Last year, the export value of Taiwanese orchids was about 154 million USD, with the U.S. market accounting for approximately 40%, making it the largest export market. The introduction of a 32% tariff policy caught orchid farmers off guard. The former chairman pointed out that a large amount of Taiwanese orchids is currently being shipped to the United States, and when contacting American clients, they also do not know how to cope with the high import taxes. He stated, "If the tariff increases to 32%, American clients will not be able to bear it, and the Taiwanese orchid industry will face difficulties."