BUSINESS
    Pharma Fears Off-Year Price Reform Loses Traction after LDP Sweep
    By Kohei Hori February 10, 2026
    Quick Look:Industry players worry that political conditions are becoming less favorable for overturning off-year drug price revisions as power in the Diet consolidates.The return of policy-savvy lawmakers is lifting hopes for a pro-innovation path, but…

    LATEST

    Kyowa Kirin Targets 20-Plus New Pipeline Assets by Early 2030s
    February 10, 2026
    Kyowa Kirin on February 9 unveiled a new medium- to long-term strategy, Vision 2030 and Beyond, setting out goals to acquire more than 20 new pipeline assets and score US FDA approval for over 10…
    Kyowa Kirin’s FY2025 Core Operating Profit Hits Record High as Costs Fall
    February 10, 2026
    Kyowa Kirin posted a record high core operating profit for the fiscal year ended December 2025, supported by higher gross profit and reduced selling, general and administrative expenses, and R&D costs.According to the company’s full-year…
    Eisai CFO Casts Oncology Pipeline Expansion as Urgent Task
    February 10, 2026
    Eisai views the expansion of its oncology development pipeline as an urgent management priority, Chief Financial Officer and Chief IR Officer Takuya Oyama said at the company’s earnings briefing on February 9.Oyama pointed to Eisai’s…

    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

    Is Calling for an Abolition the Right Play? Rethinking Japan’s FY2027 Off-Year Drug Price Revision
    By Ken Yoshino

    Japan’s health and finance ministers agreed late last year to go ahead with an “off-year” drug price revision in FY2027,…

    COLUMN

    AI in Healthcare Hiring: Leveling the Playing Field & Unlocking Human Potential
    By Philip Carrigan

    The Japanese healthcare sector is experiencing rapid growth, demanding a highly skilled and diverse workforce. However, finding and attracting the best talent in this competitive market presents significant challenges.Enter AI. With the rise of AI-powered tools, healthcare organizations can revolutionize…

    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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