BUSINESS
    Wholesalers See NHI-Market Price Gap Falling Below 4.8% to New Record Low
    By Tatsuya Otsuka October 26, 2026
    The average price discrepancy rate between the NHI and market prices for all listed medicines in Japan is expected to narrow further in 2026 from last year’s record low of 4.8%, according to pharmaceutical wholesalers…

    LATEST

    MHLW to Discuss Faster MCM Approvals during Health Emergencies
    October 26, 2026
    Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) will launch discussions on accelerating regulatory approval processes for medical countermeasures (MCMs), aiming to bring relevant vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics into practical use more quickly during infectious…
    Foreign Price Adjustment Rule a Key Issue in Japan’s MFN Response: Official
    October 26, 2026
    A senior health ministry official has identified Japan’s rule excluding the highest foreign drug price from international price comparisons as a major issue to consider in responding to the US most-favored-nation (MFN) drug pricing policy.Masahiro…
    Vyepti Could Expand Migraine Treatment Options: Japanese Expert
    October 26, 2026
    Lundbeck Japan’s newly approved anti-CGRP antibody Vyepti (eptinezumab) could broaden treatment options for migraine patients, offering the rapid onset of action and a three-month dosing interval, a Japanese expert says.Koichi Hirata, professor emeritus at Dokkyo…

    COLUMN

    New York Note - 1: JETRO’s Role in Connecting Japan with the World
    By Shunsuke Tani

    PHARMA JAPAN welcomes JETRO New York’s Shunsuke Tani as a guest columnist. In occasional contributions, Tani will share his perspectives on US pharmaceutical policy, industry developments, and life in America, drawing on his firsthand experience in the US.---Hello from New…

    Cost Effectiveness Assessment (2025-)

    LDP Health Chief Demands CEA Overhaul, Backs Freeze on Price Cuts
    By Takashi Ebisawa

    Japan should fundamentally overhaul its cost-effectiveness assessment (CEA) scheme while putting a hold on CEA-based price adjustments, a new ruling…

    COMMENTARY

    Lp(a) Drugs Face Next Test in Quest to Cut Cardiovascular Risk
    By Koji Shimomura

    Global drug makers are forging ahead with therapies targeting lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), a promising new approach to reducing cardiovascular risks.…

    Off-Year Drug Price Revisions

    Japan to Weigh Necessary Measures for FY2027 Revision: PM

    Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on October 14 that the government will consider the necessary measures for the FY2027…

    Drug Approval & Reimbursement in 2026

    Imulrio Finally Set for NHI Listing after 296-Day Wait; Zero Rule Strikes Again
    By Takashi Ebisawa

    Eli Lilly’s breast cancer drug Imulrio (imlunestrant) is finally joining Japan’s NHI price list on October 14, nearly 300 days…

    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…

    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,…

    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…

    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…

    NEWS CATEGORY

    REGULATORY

    BUSINESS

    ORGANIZATION

    ACADEMIA