Clipping Board » Medical Affairs and Administration ─ Medical system, pharmaceuticals, and medical community-related reports
March 18, 2009 [Reporter Hong Suqing / Taipei Report]
Last year, the stock market was like a roller coaster, and many investors' blood pressure followed its ups and downs! The latest statistics show that blood pressure-lowering drugs were the best-selling medications in Taiwan last year. Among the top 20 best-selling drugs in 2008, five were blood pressure medications. These five drugs alone generated over NT$6.5 billion in sales, with nearly 300 million pills sold—averaging more than 800,000 blood pressure pills consumed daily by Taiwanese.
According to the latest data from IMS Health, the top-selling blood pressure drug, "Norvasc," had sales nearing NT$3 billion last year, with over 150 million pills sold.
For the general public, Norvasc—priced at NT$18 per pill under the National Health Insurance (NHI)—may not match the price or fame of the same manufacturer's Viagra (NT$400 per pill) or targeted cancer drugs costing thousands per dose. However, Norvasc has long dominated domestic sales. Its popularity was so high that it once sparked news of counterfeit versions being sold in hospitals. When its patent expired in March 2007, multiple Taiwanese pharmaceutical companies applied for 26 generic versions of the drug.
**NT$6.5 Billion in Annual Sales for Five Drugs—7% of NHI Drug Spending**
The five major blood pressure drugs accounted for over NT$6.5 billion in annual sales, roughly 7% of NHI drug expenditures. In other words, for every NT$100 spent on drugs by the NHI, more than NT$7 goes to blood pressure medications. Why do Taiwanese need so many blood pressure drugs?
Wang Zongdao, Secretary-General of the Taiwan Hypertension Society and attending physician at National Taiwan University Hospital's Cardiology Department, pointed out that according to the Health Promotion Administration's survey, 20% of Taiwanese adults over 18 have hypertension, and nearly half of those over 50 have high blood pressure, with prevalence increasing with age.
Despite the massive NHI spending on blood pressure drugs, only about 40% of patients achieve good blood pressure control.
**Only 40% Follow Prescriptions Properly**
Doctors lament that some people are unaware of their hypertension and avoid treatment, while many others take prescribed medications but fail to adhere to their doctor's instructions. The government must address public lifestyle habits to control drug expenses.
Wang Zongdao noted that past studies show losing 10 kg can reduce the need for one blood pressure medication, and controlling dietary salt intake is crucial. He suggested Taiwan adopt salt labeling similar to the UK's system, using color-coded tags based on salt content.
Additionally, he emphasized the importance of daily blood pressure monitoring. Many patients experience "white-coat hypertension" (higher readings at hospitals due to stress), leading doctors to unnecessarily increase medication. Home monitoring can help reduce overmedication.
Beyond blood pressure drugs, targeted cancer therapies have also climbed the sales rankings in recent years. Notably, Iressa (effective for non-smoking Asian female lung cancer patients), the "miracle pill" Gleevec (for chronic myeloid leukemia), and Herceptin (for breast cancer) all made it into the top 20 best-selling drugs last year.
Source: http:/ / www. libertytimes. com. ……9/ new/ mar/ 18/ today- life6. htm
Chinese Consumed 300 Million Blood Pressure Pills Last Year
Last year, the stock market was like a roller coaster, and many investors' blood pressure followed its ups and downs! The latest statistics show that blood pressure-lowering drugs were the best-selling medications in Taiwan last year. Among the top 20 best-selling drugs in 2008, five were blood pressure medications. These five drugs alone generated over NT$6.5 billion in sales, with nearly 300 million pills sold—averaging more than 800,000 blood pressure pills consumed daily by Taiwanese.
According to the latest data from IMS Health, the top-selling blood pressure drug, "Norvasc," had sales nearing NT$3 billion last year, with over 150 million pills sold.
For the general public, Norvasc—priced at NT$18 per pill under the National Health Insurance (NHI)—may not match the price or fame of the same manufacturer's Viagra (NT$400 per pill) or targeted cancer drugs costing thousands per dose. However, Norvasc has long dominated domestic sales. Its popularity was so high that it once sparked news of counterfeit versions being sold in hospitals. When its patent expired in March 2007, multiple Taiwanese pharmaceutical companies applied for 26 generic versions of the drug.
**NT$6.5 Billion in Annual Sales for Five Drugs—7% of NHI Drug Spending**
The five major blood pressure drugs accounted for over NT$6.5 billion in annual sales, roughly 7% of NHI drug expenditures. In other words, for every NT$100 spent on drugs by the NHI, more than NT$7 goes to blood pressure medications. Why do Taiwanese need so many blood pressure drugs?
Wang Zongdao, Secretary-General of the Taiwan Hypertension Society and attending physician at National Taiwan University Hospital's Cardiology Department, pointed out that according to the Health Promotion Administration's survey, 20% of Taiwanese adults over 18 have hypertension, and nearly half of those over 50 have high blood pressure, with prevalence increasing with age.
Despite the massive NHI spending on blood pressure drugs, only about 40% of patients achieve good blood pressure control.
**Only 40% Follow Prescriptions Properly**
Doctors lament that some people are unaware of their hypertension and avoid treatment, while many others take prescribed medications but fail to adhere to their doctor's instructions. The government must address public lifestyle habits to control drug expenses.
Wang Zongdao noted that past studies show losing 10 kg can reduce the need for one blood pressure medication, and controlling dietary salt intake is crucial. He suggested Taiwan adopt salt labeling similar to the UK's system, using color-coded tags based on salt content.
Additionally, he emphasized the importance of daily blood pressure monitoring. Many patients experience "white-coat hypertension" (higher readings at hospitals due to stress), leading doctors to unnecessarily increase medication. Home monitoring can help reduce overmedication.
Beyond blood pressure drugs, targeted cancer therapies have also climbed the sales rankings in recent years. Notably, Iressa (effective for non-smoking Asian female lung cancer patients), the "miracle pill" Gleevec (for chronic myeloid leukemia), and Herceptin (for breast cancer) all made it into the top 20 best-selling drugs last year.
Source: http:/ / www. libertytimes. com. ……9/ new/ mar/ 18/ today- life6. htm