REGULATORY
    Japan Panel to Review Sumitomo, Cuorips iPSC Products on Feb. 19
    February 16, 2026
    A Japanese health ministry panel will meet on February 19 to discuss whether to recommend regulatory approval for two induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived regenerative medical products for Parkinson’s disease and heart failure, respectively.The products…

    LATEST

    Japan to Delist 387 Drugs from NHI Price List, Including Renivace
    February 16, 2026
    Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) said on February 13 that it will newly remove 387 products from the NHI drug price list, including former major brands such as Renivace (enalapril) and some…
    Chuikyo Payers Signal Mixed Views on Off-Year Drug Price Revisions
    February 16, 2026
    Members representing the payer side of the Central Social Insurance Medical Council (Chuikyo) met the press on February 13 following the panel’s recommendation on the FY2026 medical fee revision, offering mixed signals on the future…
    Chuikyo Issues FY2026 Fee Revision Recommendation, Creates New Premiums for Generics and Biosimilars
    February 16, 2026
    Japan’s Central Social Insurance Medical Council (Chuikyo) on February 13 formally issued its recommendation for the FY2026 medical fee revision, finalizing the introduction of new reimbursement premiums related to drug supply stability and generic and…

    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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