ACADEMIA
    HPV Expert Backs Routine Shots for Males, Urges Broader Assessment
    By Ken Yoshino October 7, 2026
    Japan should move ahead with routine HPV vaccinations for males by looking at not only the direct benefits for men but also indirect protection for women and broader public health benefits, according to Hideaki Miyake,…

    LATEST

    MHLW Opens Applications for Innovation Fund’s Ecosystem Program
    October 7, 2026
    Japan’s health ministry has begun soliciting organizations to provide hands-on support for drug discovery startups and other players under its new fund for the commercialization of innovative medicines, with applications open through October 29.The Ministry…
    Toho Files Objection to Court Block on Takeover Defense Move
    October 7, 2026
    Toho Holdings said on October 6 that it has filed an objection with the Tokyo District Court over a preliminary injunction blocking its takeover defense measure against investment fund 3D Investment Partners.The drug wholesaler filed…
    Keytruda Marks 3 Years at No. 1 in September: Encise
    October 7, 2026
    MSD’s Keytruda (pembrolizumab) continued its long run atop Japan’s prescription drug market in September, ranking No. 1 for the 36th consecutive month — a full three years — preliminary snapshot data from Encise showed.According to the data, released on October…

    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…

    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…

    COMMENTARY

    Survodutide Could Carve Out Role in MASH as Next-Gen Dual Agonist
    By Shinya Sato

    The development of Boehringer Ingelheim’s survodutide is gathering pace, putting the GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonist in contention to become the next…

    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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