Taiwan to Import Three India-Made Drugs
By Howard Chang/John Van Trieste
Taiwan is set to import three India-made medications, two of which treat cancer. That's amid a domestic shortage.
India-made Medications to Arrive in Taiwan Hospitals Amid Shortages
REPORTER:
Three India-made medications are heading to Taiwan’s hospitals. That’s as the Food and Drug Administration declares a domestic shortage. Two of the drugs are used to treat various cancers, while the third treats acute iron poisoning. But there are some concerns about the move among pharmacists.
Shen Tsai-ying (GRASSROOTS PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION):
[India-made] cough syrup killed 14 children
leading to US concerns over Indian drugs
and a change in policy.
Of course, not every Indian medication is bad.
It's just that the quality isn’t always consistent.
REPORTER:
But the Food and Drug Administration says everything has been done to the letter of the law.
Voice of Huang Mei-chen (FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION):
Considering the clinical need and unstable supply
of the aforementioned drugs
the FDA has begun a public solicitation
in accordance with Article 27-2
of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act
to ensure patients’ access to medication.
REPORTER:
The Food and Drug Administration says it will ask manufacturers to let facilities using the drugs to report adverse reactions. In addition, officials will strengthen their own monitoring once the drugs arrive.
