Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare Conditionally Approves Immunotherapy

• March 9, 2016
• Read time: 2 minutes

Please refer to this page: http://www.chinatimes.com/newspapers/20160309000344-260102

At least a small step has been taken; we hope Taiwan can accelerate the adoption of this adjunctive therapy. Regarding what was mentioned in the news, we would also like to share a case we are currently handling for your reference.

Quote: Lin Chenglong pointed out that currently, cancer immune cell therapy is available as a self-pay treatment option in Japan and China. Many terminal cancer patients in Taiwan, having exhausted surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy options, are compelled to travel to Japan or China for self-pay immunotherapy. In addition to treatment costs, they also have to pay over 1 million NTD in agency and accommodation fees. Last year, over 100 terminal cancer patients went to Japan for treatment. Immune cell therapy is not a miracle cure, but it gives terminal cancer patients another path.

Medical Supporter has been assisting cancer patients receive immune cell therapy in Japan. Our distinguishing features are:

1. Providing a relaxed and comprehensive medical support service so you can seek treatment with peace of mind.
2. Dedicated emergency standby support hotline serving as your backup during medical treatment in Japan.
3. Regular, ongoing searches for the latest medical information at home and abroad.
4. Transparent and itemized fee schedule.

Many friends ask about the total cost of one round of treatment. Here is an example of a recent case we assisted at Fukuoka Cancer Comprehensive Clinic:

For a 5-month course of activated lymphocyte therapy (1 consultation + 1 blood draw and culture + 6 injections): approximately 1.1 million JPY; plus 1 night 2-day accommodation (estimated at 7,000 JPY per person per night in a business hotel + approximately 3,000 JPY for meals during the stay, subtotal: approximately 80,000 JPY); plus round-trip airfare between Taiwan and Japan (using Tigerair's current prices, approximately 160,000 JPY per person round trip). The total for treatment, accommodation, and airfare is approximately 1.34 million JPY.

For one course, Medical Supporter charges: administrative handling fee of 10,000 JPY, plus monthly communication fee of 15,000 JPY, plus medical interpretation services (4 hrs dispatch) at 30,000 JPY. The approximate support fee for one course is 300,000 JPY.

At today's exchange rate of 3.4392, the total cost of activated lymphocyte therapy at Fukuoka Cancer Comprehensive Clinic plus Medical Supporter's support fees is approximately 476,000 NTD.

Medical Supporter is one of the services provided by the Japanese-registered corporation Shingihou Co., Ltd., a company legally established in Japan by Taiwanese and Japanese nationals.

*Important notes:

1. The above fees do not include consumption tax.
2. Additional self-pay medications, surgeries, radiation therapy, or other medical procedures are excluded.
3. This estimate does not include tourism or sightseeing itineraries.
4. Medical fees may vary with each medical institution.
5. This exchange rate is as of March 9, 2016.
6. Our company's service estimates are for reference only; fees may vary with additional services and other requirements.

Medical Supporter was formerly certified as an international medical visa guarantor by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (B-066).

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