BUSINESS
    Takeda Snares US Approval for Orzeyful in Narcolepsy Type 1
    August 7, 2026
    Takeda Pharmaceutical said on August 5 that the US FDA has approved its oral orexin receptor 2 (OX2R) agonist Orzeyful (oveporexton) for the treatment of adults with narcolepsy type 1 (NT1).Takeda views Orzeyful as one…

    LATEST

    Nakai Tapped as MHLW’s Top Pharmacy Officer; Ohara to Steer Drug Pricing Reform
    August 7, 2026
    The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) has promoted Kiyohito Nakai to the post of councilor in charge of pharmaceuticals at the Minister’s Secretariat, the highest-ranking official with a pharmacy-related background.Nakai, previously chief safety…
    Meiji Pharma Drops Hiyasta Development in B-Cell NHL
    August 7, 2026
    Meiji Seika Pharma revealed on August 5 that it has discontinued the domestic development of blood cancer drug Hiyasta (tucidinostat) for relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).The company said changes in the external environment…
    Inrebic Expands First-Line Treatment Options for Myelofibrosis: Expert
    August 7, 2026
    Recordati Rare Diseases Japan’s JAK inhibitor Inrebic (fedratinib) offers an important new first-line treatment option for patients with myelofibrosis, a hematology specialist said on August 4.Speaking at a media seminar hosted by the company, Kyushu…

    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

    Signs of Shift in Japan’s Drug Policy, but Cost Pressures Persist
    By Kohei Hori

    Japan’s pharmaceutical policy appears to be entering a new phase. The government’s newly approved honebuto policy and growth strategy both…

    COLUMN

    Why Your Brain Wants You to Stay (Even When You Want to Go)
    By Philip Carrigan

    A few weeks ago, I had coffee with a very talented executive. Let’s call him Kenji. He has a great job, a big salary, and a solid team. But he was unhappy. He felt bored and wanted a new challenge.…

    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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