A number of new regulations are taking effect this month, including milk subsidy programs for children in some administrative regions, as well as changes in drug prices.
The Taipei City Government is launching a milk subsidy program for public elementary schools and kindergartens starting this month to provide students with one bottle of milk per week.
Students can use their ID cards to pick up a bottle of fresh milk or soy milk at convenience stores.
Photo: CNA
The program is to start with a one week trial from Monday next week and officially launch on April 14.
Chunghua County also raised NT$80 million (US$2.41 million) for a similar program to provide junior-high, elementary and kindergarten students with milk once per week starting this month.
New medication pricing is to take effect today, with the prices of 3,150 medications decreasing and 34 increasing, the National Health Insurance Administration said.
That would save an estimated NT$4.85 billion in drug expenditures annually, it added.
The Taiwan branch of Haleon, a British healthcare company, said that starting this month, the suggested retail prices of all its Panadol cold and flu medications would increase by 5 percent to 6.5 percent, raising prices per box by NT$9 to NT$30.
Affected products include Panadol cold and flu extra strength, day and night, cough relief and nasal relief medications, as well as cold and flu hot drink packets.
Other changes include the increase in benefits and allowances for volunteer soldiers in service and combat units, which are to start today.
Taiwan High Speed Rail also said it is canceling the 5 percent discount on meals offered to TGo members, and that the price of boxed meals is to increase by NT$10 starting tomorrow, rising from NT$110 to NT$120, due to the rising cost of ingredients.
Meanwhile, Costco said it would begin requiring people to scan their membership cards at the store’s entrance and limit guests to two.
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