Two High Blood Pressure, Depression Drugs to Be Withdrawn from Taiwan Market
In a recent announcement by the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA), it was revealed that two significant pharmaceuticals, one used to treat high blood pressure and the other for depression, are slated to be discontinued in the Taiwanese market. The products in question are the Aprovel 150 mg film-coated tablets and Prozac Dispersible 20 mg. These changes are expected to take effect in late 2024 for Prozac and early 2025 for Aprovel, respectively.
TFDA Deputy Director-General, Wang Te-yuan, shared that the respective manufacturers of these medications have officially informed the agency of their decision to halt the supply of these drugs to the Taiwan market following their stated timelines. These notifications were given to the TFDA on specific dates, underscoring the planned and strategic nature of this withdrawal.
However, the deputy director-general emphasized that patients who rely on these medications should not worry about availability. The gap left by Aprovel and Prozac will be filled by generic versions that are locally produced by Taiwanese pharmaceutical companies. Generic medications are known to offer the same therapeutic effects as their brand-name counterparts by utilizing identical active ingredients following the expiration of the original patents.
The withdrawal of these drugs from the market takes into account the significant market presence they have had. Aprovel 150 mg, for instance, dominated with a 67 percent market share in 2023, as highlighted by Tai Hsueh-yung, an official from the Medical Review and Pharmaceutical Benefits Division of the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA).
In response to this shift, the NHIA has been proactive. Proposals to substitute Aprovel 150 mg tablets with generics have been received and approved. The community of clinicians in Taiwan has supported this transition, acknowledging the availability of multiple generic alternatives that can provide equivalent treatment efficacy.
Furthermore, the landscape for antidepressants like Prozac in Taiwan has evolved substantially. Nearly four decades after its introduction to the market, Prozac’s generic counterparts have captivated a dominant 85 percent of the market share. This strong presence of generic versions indicates a well-established acceptance and reliance on these alternatives by both the healthcare system and the patients it serves.
In the case of Prozac, the NHIA package already includes 11 alternative drugs, ensuring that patients have access to multiple options for their treatment needs. This availability is crucial for maintaining continuity of care and supporting patient health during and beyond the transition period.
The TFDA’s announcement and the strategic planning by the NHIA signify a careful and considered approach to pharmaceutical management in Taiwan. By ensuring that effective generic options are available and embraced by the healthcare community, Taiwan is poised to maintain uninterrupted, high-quality care for individuals managing high blood pressure and depression, even as specific brand-name drugs exit the market.
