Presentation summary

Background :
Herbal medicine plays an important role in the traditional medical systems of East Asia, yet the extent and structure of insurance coverage differ significantly among countries. Korea, Japan, and Taiwan have all institutionalized reimbursement policies for herbal prescriptions, but the range of included formulas, the mechanisms of insurance application, and clinical utilization patterns vary.

Objective :
This study aims to compare the national health insurance systems related to herbal medicine in Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, with a focus on the similarities and differences in the lists of reimbursable formulas. Additionally, the most frequently prescribed herbal formulas in each country will be examined in terms of indications, efficacy, and patterns of clinical application.

Methods :
We conducted a comparative policy and literature review of herbal medicine insurance coverage in Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. The analysis focused on : (1) the reimbursement framework for herbal medicine, (2) the official lists of covered prescriptions, identifying both common and country-specific formulas, and (3) the representative formulas most widely utilized in each country and their clinical indications.

Results :
Preliminary findings suggest that while a set of classical formulas (e.g., Shengmai San, Xiaoyao San, Banxia Houpo Tang) are commonly included across the three countries, there are marked differences reflecting national medical traditions and healthcare priorities. For instance, Japan’s Kampo system emphasizes a standardized set of formulas with clear evidence-based applications, whereas Korea and Taiwan maintain broader lists that integrate both traditional and modern clinical practice. The representative high-frequency formulas also differ, highlighting distinct patterns of disease prevalence, clinical preference, and historical development.

Conclusion :
By comparing insurance coverage systems and prescription patterns across Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, this study provides insights into how traditional medicine is institutionalized within modern healthcare systems. The findings underscore the importance of harmonizing evidence-based evaluation with cultural and historical context in expanding the role of herbal medicine in national health insurance.

Keywords : herbal medicine, insurance coverage, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, prescription patterns, Kampo, efficacy