REGULATORY
    LDP, Ishin Still at Odds on Social Security Reform; Pharma Role in Chuikyo Gains Traction
    By Kohei Hori June 19, 2026
    The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Japan Innovation Party (Nippon Ishin) failed to reach an agreement on a package of 13 social security reform items on June 18, with discussions continuing over reforms…

    LATEST

    MHLW Panel OKs Technical Review Group for OTC-Like Drug Charge System
    June 19, 2026
    A health ministry panel on June 18 approved the creation of a technical review group to work out the details of Japan’s new patient charge system for so-called “OTC-like” prescription medicines, ahead of its planned…
    Shionogi/F2G’s Novel Antifungal Makes Mark, New Option in Resistant Cases
    June 19, 2026
    Shionogi and F2G said on June 18 that their novel oral antifungal olorofim hit the primary endpoint in the global PIII OASIS trial, potentially paving the way for a new treatment option for patients with…
    MHLW Official Warns of High Risks from GLP-1 Use in Cosmetic Weight Loss
    June 19, 2026
    A senior health ministry official warned on June 18 that the off-label use of diabetes drugs such as GLP-1 receptor agonists for cosmetic weight loss carries significant risks, as Japan continues to grapple with the…

    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

    Adaptation, Diversification Key as Drug Wholesalers Face Profit Squeeze
    By Tatsuya Otsuka

    Japan’s leading pharmaceutical wholesalers are bracing for a second consecutive year of profit declines, underscoring the growing challenge of generating…

    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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