BUSINESS
    TOPIX Shuffle Puts Mid-Tier Drug Makers, Wholesalers on Chopping Block
    By Kimi Orita October 9, 2026
    A sweeping overhaul of Japan’s benchmark TOPIX stock index has left a string of mid-sized drug makers and pharmaceutical wholesalers facing potential exclusion, with Kyorin Pharmaceutical and Zeria Pharmaceutical among the companies designated for phased…

    LATEST

    Japan Panel Again Defers Male HPV Shots amid Cost-Effectiveness Concerns
    October 9, 2026
    A Japanese health ministry panel on October 8 again shelved its decision on adding the HPV vaccination for males to the national immunization program (NIP), with members citing insufficient evidence of its indirect benefits in…
    Terumo to Take US$610 Million Hit as CSL Plasma Supply Deal Ends
    October 9, 2026
    Terumo expects to book losses of roughly US$610 million, or 97.5 billion yen, in FY2026 after agreeing to terminate a plasma collection system supply agreement with US-based CSL Plasma, a major setback following heavy investments…
    Takaichi Defends Off-Year Drug Price Revisions as DPP Calls for Abolition
    October 9, 2026
    Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on October 8 reaffirmed the government’s plan to implement drug price revisions in FY2027, stressing the need to balance rewards for pharmaceutical innovation, stable drug supplies, and relief for patients…

    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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