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(2) Continuing the Monitoring of Illegal Medicinal products, Food Products, and Cosmetics on the Market
a. In 2014, a total of 721 illegal medicinal products were found. A total of 508 cases were brought to justice,
while administrative actions were imposed for 37 of these cases, with fines totaling TWD 865,000.
b. Measures such as interministerial collaboration, simplified procedures, and improved supervision
of health agencies have been implemented. A total of 3,068 cases of illicit food product, medicinal
products, and cosmetics advertisements were found in 2014, with fines totaling TWD 94.089 million.
c. Joint Audit Project of Illegal Medicinal products and Cosmetics
In addition to strengthened management of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) produced by
upstream pharmaceutical companies, improved auditing was also conducted for downstream sales
and distribution channels. News reports were also aired at appropriate occasions to form effective
deterrence against the sales channels of illegal businesses. In 2014, a total of five joint audit projects
of illegal medicinal products and cosmetics were implemented (Table 3-3). A total of 142 violators
were identified. Major violations included: sales of prescription medicine without prescription, provision
of medicinal products by non-pharmacists, improper records for controlled drugs, retail display of
prescription drugs, sales of orally administered drugs containing alcohol by non-pharmaceutical
companies (such as betelnut stands, Internet cafes, and convenience stores), and retail display,
dispensing, or supply of inferior drugs, with fines totaling TWD 2.118 million.
Section 4 Medicinal Products Safety Management
Current Status
Medicinal products with unknown or unexpected risks have been identified in recent years. This has
given rise to urgency for enacting effective controls of post-market safety of medicinal products and
establishing a comprehensive post-market safety surveillance system and legal context (Figure 3-8).
Policies and Outcomes
1. Strengthened Medicinal Product Safety Surveillance
(1) Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting System
The National Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) Reporting System was established in 1998. In 2014, a
total of 11,399 cases were reported to this system.
Month of
audit
Project audit items
Results
March Medicinal product audit project (prescription
medicine and pharmaceutical company licenses)
A total of 31 pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies,
betelnut stands, or Internet cafes was audited. A total of 12
violators were found
April
Pharmacist audit project (prescription medicine
and dispensing of controlled drugs)
A total of 618 pharmacies, drugstores, and clinics was
audited. A total of 73 violators was found for a total of 75
violations
June Orally Administered Western Medicine Containing
Alcohol Audit Project
A total of 105 betelnut stands were audited, with 14 violations
being the sales of orally administered drugs containing
alcohol
August to
September
Medicinal Product Audit Project (prescription
medicine and inferior drugs)
A total of 173 pharmacies, clinics, and hospitals was audited.
A total of 21 violators was found
October Antibiotics Audit Project
A total of 41 pharmacies was audited. A total of 22 violators
was found
Table 3-3
Results of joint audits for illegal medicince products and cosmetics