Taiwan and UK Renew Medical Policy Cooperation: Promoting FHIR with NICE

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The NHIA, along with the CDE, has initiated a new phase of medical technology evaluation cooperation with the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). This aims to accelerate Taiwan's national healthcare technology assessment framework and digital transformation. The key policy pillars outlined in this renewed agreement include: 1. **Strengthening HTA and Reimbursement**: Establishing an HTA framework for high-cost innovative therapies (such as gene and cell therapies), improving temporary payment and re-evaluation systems. 2. **Cancer Digital Governance**: Sharing expertise on digital transformation in cancer care, utilizing the international standard FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) to establish mechanisms for pre-screening and real-world evidence evaluation. This is crucial for enhancing medical data interoperability. 3. **Talent Development and Societal Perspective**: Enhancing HTA professional capabilities and strengthening policy assessment of integrated resources across medicine, long-term care, and social care (Societal Perspective). The NHIA stated that this international collaboration will strengthen Taiwan's healthcare data governance, ensuring the sustainability of the universal health insurance system and promoting rational allocation of medical resources. Cooperation with global benchmarks like NICE is vital for practicing evidence-based policy decision-making.