REGULATORY
    Ex-GSK Japan Head Calls for End to "Obsolete" 14-Day Prescription Limit
    By Ken Yoshino June 5, 2026
    It is about time for Japan to scrap its unique 14-day prescription limit for newly launched drugs, former industry leader Philippe Fauchet says, arguing that the decades-old rule offers little safety benefit while creating hurdles…

    LATEST

    Japan Cancer Center Lowers Recommended BMI Ceiling for Men to 25
    June 5, 2026
    Japan’s National Cancer Center (NCC) said on June 3 that it has lowered the recommended upper BMI limit for men to 25 from 27 in its updated evidence-based cancer prevention guidance.The revision was made as…
    Eisai to Raise 50 Billion Yen via Bond Issue for R&D, Licensing
    June 5, 2026
    Eisai said on June 4 that it will issue 50 billion yen in unsecured straight bonds, with the proceeds earmarked for R&D, investments in licensing deals, and repayment of short-term debt.The offering consists of 20…
    Japan Market for Fertility, Contraception, Female Disorders Put at 228.5 Billion Yen by FY2035
    June 5, 2026
    Japan’s market for fertility, contraception, and female-specific disorders is projected to reach 228.5 billion yen in FY2035, up 42.5% from FY2025, according to a report released by Fuji Keizai on June 4.The female disorder segment…

    Chuikyo Debate on FY2026 Drug Pricing Reform

    Chuikyo OKs New CEA Handling, with Third-Party Verification Ahead

    Japan’s cost-effectiveness assessment (CEA) panel has approved a revised handling policy for the CEA system for FY2026, with the health…

    COMMENTARY

    Are Technical Discussions Enough for Japan’s CEA System?
    By Ken Yoshino

    Japan is finally launching technical discussions on its cost-effectiveness assessment (CEA) system. A health ministry-funded research group is set to…

    COLUMN

    The Patient North Star: How Gilead Japan Redefined Innovation
    By Philip Carrigan

    In the complex landscape of the Japanese pharmaceutical market, the “status quo” is often the safest harbor. But for leaders like Kennet Brysting, former president of Gilead Japan, the status quo is the most dangerous place to stay.Innovation in Japan…

    Drug Approval & Reimbursement in 2025

    Chuikyo OKs Listing of Novartis’ Pluvicto, Peak Sales Outlook at 42.1 Billion Yen

    Japan’s Central Social Insurance Medical Council (Chuikyo) on November 5 approved the reimbursement listing for a slate of new medicines,…

    Chuikyo Debate on Off-Year Drug Price Revisions

    MHLW Unveils New List Prices for FY2025 Revision; Stelara, Januvia Hit by PMP Return
    By Ken Yoshino

    The Japanese government on March 7 announced new NHI prices to be applied in the FY2025 drug price revision, revealing…

    Discussions on Next PMD Act Amendment

    Japan Cabinet Approves Bill to Amend PMD Act

    The Japanese government approved a bill to amend the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices (PMD) Act at its Cabinet meeting on…

    Drug Approval & Reimbursement in 2024

    Japan Approves Zepbound, Qalsody, and Lots More Drugs

    Japan’s health ministry doled out regulatory approvals for a throng of new medicines on December 27 including Eli Lilly’s obesity…

    Chuikyo on FY2024 Reimbursement Reform

    Chuikyo OKs Outline of FY2024 Drug Pricing Reform; No Unprofitability Re-Pricing for 7%-Plus Price Gap

    Japan’s all-important reimbursement policy panel on December 20 approved an outline of drug pricing reforms for FY2024, which enshrines a…

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