BUSINESS
    After Entresto Flop, Hopes Grow for SGLT2 Inhibitors as HFpEF Treatments
    October 16, 2019
    Expectations are growing for SGLT2 inhibitors as treatments for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) after Novartis’ Entresto (sacubitril + valsartan) failed to meet its primary goal in a PIII trail for that use.…

    LATEST

    Takeda to Divest 30 OTC, Non-Core Assets to Swiss Firm
    October 16, 2019
    In the latest move to reduce its debt load, Takeda Pharmaceutical has struck a US$200 million-plus deal to divest some 30 non-core assets marketed in emerging markets, including non-prescription drugs, to Switzerland’s Acino.The 30-or-so products subject to the deal are…
    Astellas to Sell 3 Asian Products to Daiichi Sankyo for 9.6 Billion Yen
    October 16, 2019
    Astellas Pharma has agreed to sell three antiemetic and hypertension drugs marketed in Asia to its Japanese peer Daiichi Sankyo for 9.6 billion yen, the two companies said on October 15. Their combined sales totaled some 5 billion yen in…
    FDA OKs 1st Schizophrenia Patch Drug: Hisamitsu
    October 16, 2019
    Japanese patch drug powerhouse Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical said on October 15 that HP-3070 (asenapine) is now approved in the US under the brand name of Secuado as the first and only transdermal schizophrenia treatment in the country.The approval, which was granted…

    COMMENTARY

    Pharma Should Tap Health Coverage Debate as Catalyst to Draw Govt’s Commitment on Innovation
    By Yoshinori Sagehashi

    With snowballing healthcare spending and the emergence of new modalities of treatments, discussions are heating up around revisiting the scope of health coverage on pharmaceuticals, with the Ministry of Finance (MOF) and payers advocating the mantra of “large risks with…

    INTERVIEW

    Pharma Industry Watered Down Original Proposals for Pricing Overhaul, Corrections Necessary: Kenporen Director
    By Yoshinori Sagehashi

    As Japan gears up for its next drug pricing reform in April 2020, Shoji Kono, director of the National Federation…

    TRENDS

    Sales per Drug Rep Hits Record High in FY2018 as Downsizing Speeds Up
    By Reiji Anasako

    Pharmaceutical sales per rep in Japan, a yardstick for “productivity” at drug makers, reached a record 172 million yen in FY2018, up 20 million yen from five years ago, as companies continue ramping up their job-shedding drive in a bid…

    FY2018 Earnings Roundup

    Japanese Drug Makers Beefing Up China Biz amid Regulatory Tailwind
    By Reiji Anasako

    Riding on the back of an improved regulatory environment in China, major Japanese drug makers are moving to expand their businesses in the world’s second largest pharma market. Companies are pumping up their new drug pipelines, while forging solid sales…

    Upside in Decelerating Gx Arena

    In Authorized Generic Spree, Daiichi Sankyo Espha Focuses More on “Popularization” than “Sales” When It Comes to Cancer AGs
    By Takashi Ebisawa and Tatsuya Otsuka

    Japan’s generic market is hitting a plateau soon. Incentive measures rolled out by the government since 2002 have driven its…

    My Viewpoint on CEA

    Ensuring Patient Access Was MHLW’s Top Priority for CEA Scheme: Policy Planning Director
    By Yoshinori Sagehashi

    Some seven years in the making, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) finally rolled out a cost-effectiveness assessment…

    HTA Debates in 2018-2019

    Japan to Roll Out Cost-Effectiveness Assessment Scheme in April

    Japan will go ahead with the introduction of a cost-effectiveness assessment (CEA) scheme for drugs and medical devices in April…

    COLUMN

    Plant the Seeds of Success when Battling a Crisis
    By Philip Carrigan

    In my home country of Australia, there is a famous candy called “Minties”. Minties has a long-running advertising campaign, presenting comical situations, with the caption, “It’s moments like these.” The phase has become part of the Aussie vernacular, meaning in…

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