Taiwan Rejects Nasogastric Tubes From China 中國製矽質鼻胃管 即起禁止輸入來台

Nasogastric tubes for medical care are now on Taiwan's list of banned products from China. With the ban in place, many are worried about the supply of tubes for long-term care facilities and hospitals.

Nasogastric tubes are used for feeding patients when they cannot ingest by mouth and are not meeting recommended daily intake. The Ministry of Economic Affairs' most recent announcement during the evening of the 17th says they will be prohibiting the import of nasogastric tubes made in China, and it is to take effect immediately.

Wang Mei-hua, Minister, Ministry of Economic Affairs: “The Taiwan Medical and Biotech Industry association reported to us about China engaging in a price war, about the unfairness of low-price competition. We have talked with those affected. The guild association held a conference to explain the matter and decisions were based on objective situations. ”

Economic Affairs Minister Wang Mei-hua explained how the ministry has decided to ban China-made nasogastric tubes since the medical equipment association reported to them how China's predatory pricing has affected business for Taiwan companies. Locally made nasogastric tubes cost NT$120 each on average, but China-made tubes are NT$20 to NT$30 cheaper. With the ban in place, many are worried about the supply of tubes for long-term care facilities and hospitals.

Hung Tzu-jen, Dep. Superintendent, Shinkong Wu Ho Su Memorial Hospital: “The ban should have no effect on medical institutions basically, because we use local ones right now anyway. Taiwan produces a good amount of nice quality silicone nasogastric tubes. I don't think there would be any problem in particular. ”

Wang Wen-ching, Medical equipment supplier: “These tubes are disposable products. I don't see it being too much of an impact. Some customers have even complained about the odor of the nasogastric tubes from China.”

Would locally-made nasogastric tubes become more expensive now that China-made ones are out of the picture? On another note, Huang Fei Hong Spicy Peanuts from China have also gotten banned recently. China's Konjac Shuang snacks are also banned, but they can be imported conditionally or only for personal consumption. It is illegal to sell prohibited snacks and individuals will be fined up to NT$3 million.

當患者無法正常進食，許多醫療院所或長照機構都會使用鼻胃管，讓患者能獲得營養。不過，經濟部昨日晚間宣布，即日起禁止陸製矽質鼻胃管，輸入來台。

經濟部長王美花表示：「鼻胃管這個是醫材公會，醫材公會有來申請說，這個中國大陸的這個是低價競爭，有不公平競爭的情形，會去諮詢相關的利害關係人，公協會等等那也會召開相關的說明會，那最後是用客觀的情形來決定的。」

強調是接獲醫材公會陳情，陸製鼻胃管以低價和台製鼻胃管廠商競爭，為了避免影響台製廠商生計，才禁止陸製鼻胃管輸台。據了解，台製的一截式鼻胃管，平均一條是120元，但陸製價格，則是平均一條便宜20到30元。外界憂心，陸製鼻胃管無法輸台，是否衝擊長照機構和醫療院所的供應？

新光醫院副院長洪子仁表示：「停止進口來講，對醫療機構來講，基本上是沒有特別的影響，因為事實上目前我們也都是用台製的，我們台灣在矽質鼻胃管，製造的技術跟量能方面，我想是沒有特別的問題。」

醫療器材行業者王紋靜指出：「因為它畢竟是消耗品，所以其實沒有太大的影響，但是有一些之前有消費者反映過，他們使用大陸的那個鼻管，會有比較多的異味。」

少了陸製的鼻胃管輸台，國內的鼻胃管價格會不會變貴，值得關注。另外，不只陸製鼻胃管被禁止輸台，黃飛紅麻辣花生也被禁止。至於中國零嘴魔芋爽，因為在台灣沒生產商，只要申請專案就能輸台。食藥署發聲明表示，針對魔芋爽，民眾如果以自用方式，就不用申請輸入查驗進口，但如果拿來販售，最重可處300萬罰鍰。