A:

1.Since the implementation of the second-generation national health insurance  program, hospitals have been setting up clinics in correctional facilities. If inmates get ill and need to take medications, they will be able to see a doctor inside the facility and take medications as instructed by the doctor. 

2.Inmates can bring medications with them upon arrival at the correctional facility. However those medications must be placed in an intact medicine bag or come with the prescription for identification purpose. The medicine bag  should  indicate patient name, name, unit content and quantity of medication, use instruction and dosage, name and address of medical institution or pharmacy, name of pharmacist and date of preparation or delivery. Correctional  facilities will check the information and return the medicine bag to inmates afterwards. Inmates who need insulin shots must prepare certificate of diagnosis, prescription, needle and the drug.  

3.If a medicine prescribed by a correctional facility doctor is not available at the facility, inmates can fill out an application form for approval to let their relatives send the medicine. The medicine sent by inmate’s relatives must be placed in intact and unopened outer bag and comes with fully labeled medicine bag, certificate of diagnosis or  prescription, and the medicine is to be used by the inmate only. 

4.How to send medicine: The relatives of inmates can send medicine by post, or deliver it in person at the time and place designated by the facility, or by other ways permitted by the  facility. However inmate’s relatives must first apply for approval by submitting prescription  and relevant supporting documents according to the established procedure before sending the medicine.  

5.If a medicine does not conform to the aforementioned requirements, or does not come with a permit number of Taiwan Food and Drug Administration, or has unclear label or torn package, the correctional facility will reject the delivery. 

6.How rejected medicines are handled: 

  (1)Inmates can mail the medicines to an address designated by them at their own cost or ask their relatives to pick it up at the facility. 

  (2)If inmates do not take any action, the facility may destroy the medicine or dispose it by other appropriate means.