COMMENTARY
    As US Pushes Global Cost Rebalancing, Can Japan Answer with Drug Prices?
    By Ken Yoshino September 7, 2026
    Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has pledged to respond to the US most-favored-nation (MFN) drug pricing policy to safeguard timely patient access to innovative medicines. What she has not pledged is how.Takaichi made the promise…

    LATEST

    MHLW Seeks at Least 275 Billion Yen to Shore Up Drug Supplies
    September 7, 2026
    The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) is seeking at least 274.9 billion yen in its FY2027 budget request for five programs aimed at strengthening stable drug supplies, including new support to bring API…
    Yaz, Actemra Indications Deemed High-Need by MHLW Panel
    September 7, 2026
    A Japanese health ministry panel on September 4 deemed proposed new indications for Bayer Yakuhin’s Yaz (drospirenone + ethinylestradiol betadex) and Chugai Pharmaceutical’s Actemra (tocilizumab) to have high medical needs, paving the way for government…
    Minister Defends Scope of Low-Income Exemption for OTC-Like Drug Charge
    September 7, 2026
    Japanese Health Minister Kenichiro Ueno said on September 4 that low-income people already receive some relief from healthcare costs, explaining the government’s approach to exemptions from Japan’s upcoming additional charge for “OTC-like” prescription medicines.Under the…

    Chuikyo Debate on FY2026 Drug Pricing Reform

    Romiplate to See Steepest Cut in April Market Expansion Re-Pricing

    Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) on March 5 unveiled the revised NHI prices for drugs subject to…

    COMMENTARY

    Pharma Faces Wage Challenge in 5% Era as Industry Sustainability at Stake
    By Hayate Horiguchi

    Japan has entered a third straight year of wage hikes averaging 5%, but the pharmaceutical industry is struggling to keep…

    COLUMN

    The One Mistake on Your Resume
    By Philip Carrigan

    We had just gotten off a call with a client in Europe, and we’d received a bit of an earful. “Philip,” the client pressed, “what can this candidate bring to us? We know what he does, but what has he…

    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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