REGULATORY
    LDP, Ishin Near Deal on Chuikyo Reform to Bolster Drug Discovery
    By Kohei Hori July 7, 2026
    Japan’s ruling coalition partners are in the final stages of reaching an agreement on healthcare reforms that would revamp the Central Social Insurance Medical Council (Chuikyo) to strengthen the country’s drug discovery capabilities.The Liberal Democratic…

    LATEST

    Astellas Confirms Applying to US MFN Medicaid Pricing Model
    July 7, 2026
    Astellas Pharma has confirmed that it applied to participate in the US government’s voluntary Medicaid drug pricing model under its most-favored-nation (MFN) policy, becoming the first pharmaceutical company outside a group of 17 major drug…
    Govt Eyes Honebuto Revisions on Biosimilars, MFN Policy
    July 7, 2026
    The Japanese government is considering revising its draft “honebuto” economic and fiscal blueprint following ruling party discussions, with new language expected on domestic biosimilar production and the US most-favored-nation (MFN) drug pricing policy.The annual honebuto…
    Otsuka’s Astex Inks Breast Cancer R&D Pact with Genentech
    July 7, 2026
    Otsuka Pharmaceutical said on July 6 that its UK subsidiary Astex Pharmaceuticals has entered an exclusive research collaboration and license agreement with Genentech to advance a small-molecule breast cancer therapy program.Under the pact, the two…

    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

    DORA Use Could Expand as Japan Opens Door to “Sleep Disorders” Specialty
    By Shinya Sato

    Japan is opening a new chapter in sleep medicine. The recent decision to allow medical institutions to advertise “sleep disorders”…

    COLUMN

    The Psychology of ‘Stuck’: Understanding Why Changing Jobs Feels So Hard
    By Philip Carrigan

    Let’s face it: in today’s world, changing jobs is a normal part of a successful career. But if it’s so normal, why does it feel so hard? For many people, the idea of leaving their current role brings a heavy…

    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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