REGULATORY
    LDP Health Chief Demands CEA Overhaul, Backs Freeze on Price Cuts
    By Takashi Ebisawa October 20, 2026
    Japan should fundamentally overhaul its cost-effectiveness assessment (CEA) scheme while putting a hold on CEA-based price adjustments, a new ruling party health chief said, arguing that the current framework is ill-equipped to fully capture the…

    LATEST

    Toho Subsidiary Suffers Data Breach, HCP Info Exposed
    October 20, 2026
    Toho Holdings said on October 19 that personal information belonging to healthcare professionals using a remote detailing service operated by its subsidiary enTouch has been leaked following unauthorized access to the company’s database.The major drug…
    Veritas, Toray Pin Down Hit Compounds for PCSK9 mRNA Drugs
    October 20, 2026
    Veritas In Silico said on October 19 that it has identified hit compounds targeting PCSK9 messenger RNA (mRNA) in its joint drug discovery research with Toray Industries, achieving one of their research milestones.The companies are…
    Insmed’s Brinsupri Hits Japan Market for NCFB
    October 20, 2026
    Insmed said on October 19 that Brinsupri (brensocatib) is now available in Japan as the country’s first approved treatment for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB).Brinsupri, a once-daily oral small molecule that reversibly inhibits dipeptidyl peptidase 1 (DPP1), is indicated for adults…

    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…

    NEWS CATEGORY

    REGULATORY

    BUSINESS

    ORGANIZATION

    ACADEMIA