BUSINESS
    Pfizer to Drop Avastin, Herceptin Biosimilars in Japan, Halving Portfolio
    By Shinya Sato October 14, 2026
    Pfizer is set to discontinue sales of its biosimilar versions of cancer drugs Avastin (bevacizumab) and Herceptin (trastuzumab) in Japan next year, reducing its follow-on biologics portfolio from four molecules to two.The company began notifying…

    LATEST

    Asahi Kasei’s Pritelivir Scores US Approval for HSV Infections
    October 14, 2026
    Asahi Kasei said on October 13 that the US subsidiary of Asahi Kasei Therapeutics has obtained FDA approval for Hovilpri (pritelivir), an oral treatment for herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections.A novel HSV helicase-primase inhibitor, the…
    Japan Eyes Multi-Year Funding to Secure MCMs: Takaichi
    October 14, 2026
    Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on October 13 that the government will consider securing multi-year funding and other support measures to ensure the availability of medical countermeasures (MCMs) against infectious disease emergencies.Speaking at a…
    Nitto Medic Recalls Heparinoid Lotion over Nitrosamine Impurity
    October 14, 2026
    Nitto Medic said on October 13 that it has initiated a voluntary Class II recall of certain lots of its Heparinoid Lotion 0.3% “NIT” after detecting a nitrosamine impurity in the 50 g and 100…

    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

    Japan Moves to Break Plasma Product Capacity Crunch with Factory Aid
    By Takashi Ebisawa

    Japan’s plasma-derived product industry is approaching a turning point as the government prepares to step in with unprecedented support for…

    COLUMN

    Outside the Bubble: Lunch with Pharma Delegates
    By Philip Carrigan

    The Wednesday TableShe had been on virtual calls since eight in the morning. The screen glowed. Her eyes burned. Plugged into Teams across time zones, she was digitally connected yet entirely isolated from the reality of Japan’s pharma market.She needed…

    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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