BUSINESS
    Sanofi Japan Bets on Beyfortus Track Record with NIP Inclusion in Sight
    By Koji Shimomura November 11, 2026
    Sanofi is looking to expand the use of its RSV preventive antibody Beyfortus (nirsevimab) in Japan ahead of its potential inclusion in the country’s routine immunization program, banking on a growing body of real-world evidence…

    LATEST

    Japan Pharma Market Put at 13 Trillion Yen in FY2031, Growth to Slow: IQVIA
    November 11, 2026
    Japan’s market for NHI-listed prescription medicines is projected to reach around 13.18 trillion yen in FY2031, up from 11.51 trillion yen in FY2025, although growth is expected to slow amid continued pressure from annual drug…
    Kyorin Targets 10 Billion Yen-Plus Assets in Licensing Push
    November 11, 2026
    Kyorin Pharmaceutical is aggressively pursuing in-licensing deals for products with annual sales potential of at least 10 billion yen as it revs up investments to drive sustainable growth, President and CEO Yutaka Ogihara said on…
    Nitrosamines Found in Sertraline, Telmisartan Generics; Shipments to Continue
    November 11, 2026
    Towa Pharmaceutical and Feldsenf Pharma reported on November 10 that nitrosamine impurities have been detected in their respective generic versions of antidepressant Jzoloft (sertraline) and antihypertensive Micardis (telmisartan). Both companies will continue shipments and distribution.In notices to healthcare professionals, Towa…

    COMMENTARY

    Japan Drug Wholesalers Caught in Multiple Dilemmas as Price Gap Narrows
    By Tatsuya Otsuka

    On paper, things should be looking up for Japan’s pharmaceutical wholesalers. Industry expectations are mounting that the average gap between NHI and market prices will narrow further in FY2026 from the previous year’s record low of 4.8%.A shrinking gap should…

    COLUMN

    New York Note - 2: The Tariff Roller Coaster
    By Shunsuke Tani

    Tariffs have been a defining feature of US trade policy under President Donald Trump’s second administration. Since Trump unveiled his “reciprocal” tariff policy in April 2025, the landscape has shifted repeatedly.In February 2026, the US Supreme Court invalidated tariffs imposed…

    Off-Year Drug Price Revisions

    MOF Presses for Full FY2027 Drug Price Revision Without Price Gap Thresholds
    By Kohei Hori

    As Japan’s budget season draws near, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) has renewed its push for a full-scale “off-year” drug…

    Cost Effectiveness Assessment (2025-)

    Chuikyo Reps Back More Pharma Access to CEA Deliberations, Urge Neutrality
    By Kohei Hori

    Members of a key reimbursement policy panel on October 28 raised no objections to expanding drug makers’ access to deliberations…

    Drug Approval & Reimbursement in 2026

    Imulrio Finally Set for NHI Listing after 296-Day Wait; Zero Rule Strikes Again
    By Takashi Ebisawa

    Eli Lilly’s breast cancer drug Imulrio (imlunestrant) is finally joining Japan’s NHI price list on October 14, nearly 300 days…

    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…

    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,…

    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…

    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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