Japan’s cost-effectiveness assessment (CEA) panel has approved a revised handling policy for the CEA system for FY2026, with the health…
REGULATORY
Govt Weighs Additional Copays for OTC-Like Drugs in Economic Package
The Japanese government is considering introducing additional out-of-pocket charges for “OTC-like” prescription medicines as part of the comprehensive economic package due out later this month, Jiho learned on November 18. The concrete system design is expected to be completed in…
To read the full story
Related Article
- LDP Leans Towards “Special Charges” for OTC-Like Drugs, Not Coverage Removal
December 15, 2025
- Panel Backs Extra Charges for OTC-Like Drugs While Keeping Coverage, but Design Details Still Divisive
November 28, 2025
- LDP, Ishin Start Framing Copay Models for OTC-Like Drugs: Bilateral Talks
November 25, 2025
- Japan Finalizes Economic Package Positioning Pharma as “Core Industry”
November 25, 2025
- Patient Groups Push Back against Delisting OTC-Like Drugs; Panel Leans Toward Higher Copays
November 21, 2025
- Ishin Presses Govt to Commit to OTC-Like Drug Reform by FY2026
November 13, 2025
- LDP, Nippon Ishin to Form Coalition; OTC-Like Drug Copay Review Set for FY2025
October 21, 2025
- Japan OKs Honebuto Paper with Softened Phrasing on CEA, Sign of Change to Social Security Budgeting
June 16, 2025
- 3 Parties Agree to Review OTC-Like Drugs from FY2026, but Details Still in the Air
June 9, 2025
REGULATORY
- LDP Wins Landslide Victory in Lower House Election; Ex-Lawmakers Return as Centrists Routed
February 9, 2026
- MHLW Panel Deems 10 “Drug Loss” Products as High-Need, to Seek Development
February 9, 2026
- MHLW to Allow OTC Drugs to Match Prescription Doses under Specific Conditions
February 5, 2026
- Japan Launches Biotechnology Working Group, Roadmap Draft Due in April
February 4, 2026
- Japan Panel Backs Nonprescription Switch of Second Emergency Contraceptive
February 4, 2026
Japan’s health and finance ministers agreed late last year to go ahead with an “off-year” drug price revision in FY2027,…
The Japanese healthcare sector is experiencing rapid growth, demanding a highly skilled and diverse workforce. However, finding and attracting the best talent in this competitive market presents significant challenges.Enter AI. With the rise of AI-powered tools, healthcare organizations can revolutionize…
Japan’s Central Social Insurance Medical Council (Chuikyo) on November 5 approved the reimbursement listing for a slate of new medicines,…
The Japanese government on March 7 announced new NHI prices to be applied in the FY2025 drug price revision, revealing…
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…