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    Japan Falling Behind US, China in Pharma Innovation, EFPIA Chief Urges Action
    By Ken Yoshino October 15, 2026
    Japan is “falling behind” the US and China in pharmaceutical investments and innovation, EFPIA President Stefan Oelrich warned on October 14, calling on the Japanese government to walk the talk on its pro-innovation pledges.Speaking at…

    LATEST

    Takeda’s Narcolepsy Med Orzeyful Now Available in Japan, China
    October 15, 2026
    Takeda Pharmaceutical said on October 15 that it has launched its oral orexin receptor 2 (OX2R) agonist Orzeyful (oveporexton) in Japan and China for the treatment of narcolepsy type 1 (NT1).NT1 is a form of…
    Japan Set to Compile Support Measures to Secure MCMs by Year-End
    October 15, 2026
    A health ministry panel on October 14 discussed the government support measures and legal frameworks needed to develop Japan’s R&D and manufacturing capabilities for medical countermeasures (MCMs), aiming to draw up proposals by year-end.The discussions…
    JCR’s Izcargo Reels in Conditional Approval in Kuwait
    October 15, 2026
    JCR Pharmaceuticals said on October 14 that its Hunter syndrome drug Izcargo (pabinafusp alfa) received conditional marketing approval in Kuwait this month, marking its second regulatory nod outside Japan following approval in the UAE in…

    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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