REGULATORY
    Japan to Roll Out Cost-Effectiveness Assessment Scheme in April
    February 21, 2019
    Japan will go ahead with the introduction of a cost-effectiveness assessment (CEA) scheme for drugs and medical devices in April as an all-important reimbursement policy panel approved the plan on February 20 despite the industry’s…

    LATEST

    MHLW Makes No Change to Drug Prices, but Corrects Pricing Coefficient after Wage Scandal, Sloppy Errors Also Found
    February 21, 2019
    The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) will make no changes to NHI prices after vetting the impact of faulty wage data found in its labor survey, but tweaked a relevant pricing coefficient due to statistic corrections as well…
    Novartis Files for Arbitration with ICC, Claiming No Obligation to Pay Certain Royalties for Fingolimod to Mitsubishi Tanabe
    February 21, 2019
    Novartis Pharma AG has filed for arbitration against Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) claiming that the company is not obligated to pay certain royalties on sales of the multiple sclerosis treatment fingolimod, the Japanese company…
    MHLW Acknowledges Need to Ponder Rules for “Regenerative Medicines”: Official
    February 21, 2019
    The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) sees the need to contemplate appropriate pricing rules for what it defines as “regenerative medicine” products, an official said on February 20 at a key panel meeting, where a 15 million yen…

    TRENDS

    Rituxan Biosimilar Grabs 30% Volume Share in Just 1 Year; Sales Expected to Double in 2019
    By Reiji Anasako

    Kyowa Hakko Kirin’s first and only Rituxan (rituximab) biosimilar in Japan is showing a faster-than-expected uptake in the market, with the company racking up 4.3 billion yen from the cancer drug in 2018, far beyond its initial 3.2 billion yen…

    HTA Debates in 2018-2019

    Importance of Non-ICER Factors in Cost-Effectiveness Assessment Starting to Resonate with Chuikyo Reps

    Members of a key reimbursement policy panel appear to be becoming more and more open to the industry’s call for…

    COMMENTARY

    Restructuring, Divestment Progress in Wake of Drug Pricing Overhaul
    By Takashi Ebisawa

    A series of drug makers restructured or sold off production facilities in FY2018. Others dissolved or withdrew from the pharmaceutical business altogether. The entry of generics and transfer of products triggered these moves, but the underlying factor was the impact…

    COLUMN

    Why Top-Tier Recruiters Must Embrace Their Creative Side
    By Philip Carrigan

    With a cursory glance, recruitment is easily defined. We’re here to help place candidates into the vacancies our clients need to fill. Armed with a pen and paper, you could even map out the process.• We study the market• We…

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