COMMENTARY
    Adaptation, Diversification Key as Drug Wholesalers Face Profit Squeeze
    By Tatsuya Otsuka June 16, 2026
    Japan’s leading pharmaceutical wholesalers are bracing for a second consecutive year of profit declines, underscoring the growing challenge of generating earnings in an industry squeezed by rising procurement, logistics, and labor costs.The Big 4 drug…

    LATEST

    Ono CEO’s Pay Climbs to 260 Million Yen
    June 16, 2026
    Ono Pharmaceutical Chairman and CEO Gyo Sagara saw his annual pay increase 61 million yen from a year earlier to 260 million yen in FY2025, which ended March, according to the company’s securities filing released…
    Japan Panel Seeks Easing of Rules on Radiopharma Research Samples
    June 16, 2026
    A Cabinet Office expert panel on radiopharmaceuticals on June 15 endorsed a proposal to ease the regulations governing the handling of animals and samples administered short-lived radioisotopes — a move aimed at facilitating radiopharmaceutical R&D.Under…
    LDP Team Reviews Draft Industry Cluster Plans for Radiopharma, Blood Products
    June 16, 2026
    A Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) project team focused on strengthening pharmaceutical innovation on June 15 reviewed the government's draft industry cluster plans, including initiatives aimed at supporting the domestic production of radiopharmaceuticals and blood-derived products.Following…

    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

    20 Years at a Glance: Overseas Sales Surge at Japan Pharma, but R&D Investments Lag
    By Hayate Horiguchi

    Japan’s pharmaceutical industry has become a global business over the past two decades. Overseas markets now make up nearly three-quarters…

    COLUMN

    The Patient North Star: How Gilead Japan Redefined Innovation
    By Philip Carrigan

    In the complex landscape of the Japanese pharmaceutical market, the “status quo” is often the safest harbor. But for leaders like Kennet Brysting, former president of Gilead Japan, the status quo is the most dangerous place to stay.Innovation in Japan…

    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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