On paper, things should be looking up for Japan’s pharmaceutical wholesalers. Industry expectations are mounting that the average gap between NHI and market prices will narrow further in FY2026 from the previous year’s record low of 4.8%.A shrinking gap should…
REGULATORY
Japan’s Major Parties Outline Various Drug Policy Visions Ahead of Upper House Poll
As Japan gears up for the July 20 Upper House election, campaign rhetoric has centered largely on economic relief and tax policy. But for those in the pharmaceutical sector, party documents also offer insight - albeit limited - into each…
To read the full story
Related Article
- Pharmaceutical Policy at a Crossroad amid Political Upheaval in Japan
July 28, 2025
- Healthcare Stakeholders Weigh Fallout after Ruling Bloc’s Election Setback
July 23, 2025
- Japan’s Ruling Bloc Routed in Upper House Poll; Takemi to Retire, Furukawa, Kamayachi, and Honda Secure Seats
July 22, 2025
- Healthcare-Linked Candidates Launch Campaigns as Upper House Election Gets Underway
July 4, 2025
- Upper House Campaign Begins in Japan, Healthcare and Pharma-Linked Candidates in Spotlight
July 3, 2025
- Ex-Health Minister Takemi Vows to Bolster Japan’s Drug Development and Supply Resilience
July 2, 2025
- LDP’s Honda Pledges Strong Support for Pharma Sector via Pro-Innovation Pricing and Supply Stabilization
July 2, 2025
- LDP’s Furukawa Vows Policy Support for Domestic Innovation in New Modalities
June 30, 2025
- DPP’s Tamura Renews Call to Scrap Off-Year Drug Price Cuts, Urges Protection of On-Patent Prices
June 26, 2025
- JMA’s Upper House Candidate Says Scraping Drug Prices to Pool Resources No Longer Holds
June 17, 2025
REGULATORY
- Chuikyo OKs Tougher CEA Price Cuts for Drugs Tagged “Cost Increase”
November 12, 2026
- Chuikyo Weighs “Agile Response” to MFN as Providers Question Drug Lag, Loss Impact
November 12, 2026
- Japan to List Eylea Biosimilars from SamChunDang, Celltrion on Nov. 13
November 12, 2026
- PMDA Sees Little Need for Separate Dosage Form Category for Mini-Tablets
November 11, 2026
- Japan Eyes Nationwide Probe into Wartime Drug Trials on Leprosy Patients
November 11, 2026
Japan is set to add 16 new drugs to its NHI reimbursement price list on November 13, including a subcutaneous…
Japan will trim the NHI price of Eli Lilly Japan’s Alzheimer’s treatment Kisunla (donanemab) by 3.93% under the cost-effectiveness assessment…
Tariffs have been a defining feature of US trade policy under President Donald Trump’s second administration. Since Trump unveiled his “reciprocal” tariff policy in April 2025, the landscape has shifted repeatedly.In February 2026, the US Supreme Court invalidated tariffs imposed…
As Japan’s budget season draws near, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) has renewed its push for a full-scale “off-year” drug…
Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) on March 5 unveiled the revised NHI prices for drugs subject to…
Japan’s Central Social Insurance Medical Council (Chuikyo) on November 5 approved the reimbursement listing for a slate of new medicines,…
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…