AmCham Taiwan brought together leaders from across government, academia, industry, and civil society for the 2025 Cancer Summit, held July 28 at the Regent Taipei. Centered on the theme “Advancing Innovation Toward National Goals to Strengthen Comprehensive Cancer Care,” the summit focused on accelerating early intervention strategies and establishing long-term funding mechanisms for the Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF). These efforts align with Taiwan’s ambitious goal of reducing cancer mortality by one-third by 2030.

Starting the day’s proceedings, AmCham Chairperson Dan Silver noted the forum’s rapid evolution since its launch in 2023, calling it a vital platform for cross-sector dialogue. He affirmed AmCham’s alignment with President Lai Ching-te’s “Healthy Taiwan” vision and emphasized the Chamber’s continued commitment to supporting innovation, patient access, and sustainable healthcare reform.

American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Raymond Greene delivered opening remarks, commending Taiwan’s commitment to expanding access and modernizing its reimbursement systems.

“Together, let us move forward with urgency, empathy, and determination,” Greene said. He cited the shared ambitions of Taiwan’s CDF and the U.S. Cancer Moonshot initiative and stressed that early detection, aligned treatment guidelines, and global cooperation are essential to improving outcomes and building a more equitable system.

Next to take the stage, Minister Without Portfolio Dr. Chen Shih-chung highlighted the government’s longstanding commitment to the Cancer Fund, noting that President Lai championed the initiative even before taking office. He stressed that ensuring the fund’s effective use and eventual integration into the National Health Insurance (NHI) system will require strong internal coordination.

National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) Director General Shih Chung-liang followed with a data-focused presentation outlining trends in incidence, mortality, and screening across multiple cancer types. He highlighted the sharp increase in breast cancer detection due to expanded screening programs and emphasized the need for improved data presentation, real-world evidence, and more robust frameworks for transitioning drugs from the CDF into NHIA coverage.

The first panel discussion, titled “Shaping a Sustainable Cancer Drugs Fund and Support Mechanism,” was moderated by Taiwan Oncology Society President Dr. Chen Jen-shi, who called for stronger basic research and localized treatment guidelines while noting the need for improved communication between medical societies and patient groups. Hematology Society of Taiwan President Ko Bor-sheng discussed the distinct challenges of hematologic cancers, including the high first-year treatment costs for leukemia and the need for MRD-guided therapeutic strategies. He also emphasized the lack of adequate lab services and proposed the development of a centralized network for long-term monitoring.

HOPE Foundation for Cancer Care Vice Chairman Professor Luo Sheng-dean warned of treatment gaps, particularly for head and neck cancer patients, and questioned how they would be supported if the CDF link failed. Formosa Cancer Foundation Deputy CEO Jane Tsai outlined new tools to improve reimbursement transparency and called for legislation to institutionalize the fund. She noted backing from more than 106 legislators and said alcohol or sugar levies are under consideration to ensure sustainability.

Returning to the discussion, Shih described the CDF as an earmarked buffer that previews drugs before full NHI coverage. He emphasized the need for robust real-world data and stronger HTA capacity to guide future listings and resource planning.

The second panel, “Aligning with International Standards and Reducing Cancer Mortality Through Early Screening and Treatment,” was moderated by Academia Sinica Academician Yang Pan-chyr, who stressed the importance of catching lung cancer early and expressed hope that AI-assisted interpretation of low-dose CT scans could reduce radiologist burden and avoid overtreatment. National Health Research Institutes Cancer Research Director Cha Tai-lung addressed the growing burden of metastatic prostate cancer, calling for improved access to early screening and greater use of national policy mechanisms to expand access.

Taiwan Breast Cancer Society President Chen Fang-ming noted that despite broad screening coverage, stage four diagnoses have not declined, indicating a lack of stage migration. He said the main challenge is no longer access but patient compliance and health literacy. Asian Gynecologic Oncology Group Chairperson Lai Chyong-huey highlighted the need for improved screening and access to targeted therapies for ovarian cancer. Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital Deputy Superintendent Ho Ching-liang warned that endometrial cancer cases are rising without a national screening strategy, and patients face limited treatment options and high out-of-pocket costs for second-line therapies.

In her closing remarks, Pfizer Taiwan General Manager and AmCham Taiwan Governor Cellina Yeh thanked the speakers, moderators, and participants for their insights.

“The diversity of perspectives — from government leaders to industry experts, academics, and patient advocates — shows how united we are in our mission to improve cancer care in Taiwan,” she said. Yeh encouraged stakeholders to continue working together to ensure that innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity remain central to future policy decisions.

The 2025 Cancer Summit was sponsored by AbbVie, AstraZeneca, GSK, Johnson & Johnson, MSD, Novartis, and Pfizer.