COMMENTARY
    Lp(a) Drugs Face Next Test in Quest to Cut Cardiovascular Risk
    By Koji Shimomura October 19, 2026
    Global drug makers are forging ahead with therapies targeting lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), a promising new approach to reducing cardiovascular risks. But after Novartis’ pelacarsen failed to hit the primary goal in a global PIII trial,…

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    Japan Eyes Spring 2027 Plan to Address Drug Discovery Workforce Needs
    October 19, 2026
    The Japanese government aims to map out its drug discovery workforce needs and flesh out training plans by spring 2027, with a particular focus on building domestic expertise in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.At an inter-ministerial meeting on…
    TS Alfresa-Backed Drone Council Inks Pact with Hiroshima
    October 19, 2026
    Big 4 drug wholesaler Alfresa Holdings said on October 16 that a regional drone group co-founded by its subsidiary has signed an agreement with Hiroshima Prefecture to use drones for information gathering and supply transportation…
    Santen to Seek Bankruptcy for Chinese Subsidiary
    October 19, 2026
    Santen Pharmaceutical said on October 16 that it will file for bankruptcy proceedings for its Chinese consolidated subsidiary Chongqing Santen Kerui Pharmaceutical, a joint venture with Chongqing Kerui Pharmaceutical Group launched in 2016.The JV has…

    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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