MOHW Taiwan News

Taiwan Achieves Hepatitis C Elimination Ahead of Schedule

Taiwan has announced achievement of the World Health Organization's Hepatitis C elimination goal by 2025, well ahead of the global 2030 target. As of October 2025, over 182,000 patients have received direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment at a total expenditure of approximately NT$28.7 billion, while over 7.55 million individuals have undergone screening following expanded eligibility. All key indicators have surpassed WHO's Path to Elimination 'Gold Tier' standards, with diagnosis and treatment rates exceeding 90%. The Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to submit the 'Taiwan Hepatitis C Elimination Report' to the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) by the end of 2025.

Taiwan Travel Food Regulations for International Tourists

The Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) issued guidance for international tourists and parcel recipients on food import rules effective March 10, 2026. General food items are exempt if priced under USD 1,000 and weighing less than 6 kilograms per item, while capsules and tablets are limited to 36 bottles total across all types. TFDA warns that imported products under the personal use exemption cannot be resold or distributed, with violators subject to fines of NT$30,000 to NT$3,000,000 under Articles 30 and 47 of the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation.

APEC Conference on Tobacco Control Addresses Emerging Products

The Health Promotion Administration of Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare convened an international tobacco control conference in Taipei on March 25, 2026, bringing together 11 APEC economies including Australia, Canada, Japan, Korea, Singapore, the United States, and others. The conference addressed regulatory frameworks for emerging tobacco and nicotine products such as e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, while exploring innovative smoking cessation services and integrated care models. Taiwan highlighted its amended Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act (2023 amendment strengthening regulation of new nicotine products) and ongoing enforcement collaboration with local health bureaus.