COMMENTARY

FY2024 Sees Divergence in I/O Drug Sales, Keytruda Thrives while Rivals Face Pricing Headwinds

By Hayate Horiguchi July 4, 2025
Japan’s FY2024 pharmaceutical sales revealed a sharp divergence among immune checkpoint inhibitors as MSD’s Keytruda (pembrolizumab) surged toward the 200-billion-yen mark while rivals suffered notable dips due largely to government-imposed re-pricing, a Jiho tally showed. The tally covered prescription drugs…

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COMMENTARY

Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) on March 5 unveiled the revised NHI prices for drugs subject to…

By Kohei Hori

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

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…

Japan’s Central Social Insurance Medical Council (Chuikyo) on November 5 approved the reimbursement listing for a slate of new medicines,…

By Ken Yoshino

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The Japanese government approved a bill to amend the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices (PMD) Act at its Cabinet meeting on…

Japan’s health ministry doled out regulatory approvals for a throng of new medicines on December 27 including Eli Lilly’s obesity…

Japan’s all-important reimbursement policy panel on December 20 approved an outline of drug pricing reforms for FY2024, which enshrines a…