ORGANIZATION
    JPMA, PhRMA Raise Alarm over Generic Approvals During Patent Extensions
    By Shinya Sato July 17, 2026
    Japan’s research-based pharmaceutical industry and its US counterpart are pushing back against recent approvals of generic medicines during extended patent terms, arguing that the trend undermines incentives for drug innovation and discourages R&D investments.The Japan…

    LATEST

    Merck Biopharma Starts Japan PIII Trial of LH/FSH Combo
    July 17, 2026
    Merck Biopharma said on July 16 that it has launched a PIII trial in Japan of its investigational infertility treatment MBJ-0011, a fixed-dose combination of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).The study is enrolling…
    Eisai’s Dayvigo Accepted for EMA Review
    July 17, 2026
    Eisai said on July 16 that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has accepted for review a marketing authorization application for its orexin receptor antagonist Dayvigo (lemborexant) for the treatment of chronic insomnia in adults.Dayvigo was…
    AbbVie Files Maviret for Acute Hepatitis C
    July 17, 2026
    AbbVie said on July 16 that it has filed in Japan for a label expansion of its antiviral Maviret (glecaprevir + pibrentasvir) for the treatment of acute hepatitis C.Maviret is currently approved for the improvement…

    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

    A Turning Point for Pharma? Chuikyo Reform Could Open Door to Greater Industry Role
    By Kohei Hori

    Japan’s pharmaceutical industry could be on the verge of gaining a stronger voice in the Central Social Insurance Medical Council…

    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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