Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) on March 5 unveiled the revised NHI prices for drugs subject to…
REGULATORY
Patient Groups Push Back against Delisting OTC-Like Drugs; Panel Leans Toward Higher Copays
Japan’s national health insurance panel signaled on November 20 that removing “OTC-like” prescription drugs from coverage would be difficult, after patient organizations unanimously warned against delisting the medicines. While rejecting full exclusion, several groups indicated they could accept higher copayments…
To read the full story
Related Article
- MHLW Names 77 Active Ingredients for OTC-Like Drug Charges
December 26, 2025
- OTC-Like Drugs Left in Limbo as Panel Debates Cost-Sharing without Clear Policy Signal
December 19, 2025
- Japan Moves LLP Payment Hike toward Political Call, Eyes 1/2 or Higher
December 18, 2025
- Panel Backs Extra Charges for OTC-Like Drugs While Keeping Coverage, but Design Details Still Divisive
November 28, 2025
- Govt Weighs Additional Copays for OTC-Like Drugs in Economic Package
November 19, 2025
- Chuikyo Split over Higher Copays under LLP Scheme; Payer Push Meets Provider Caution
November 17, 2025
- MHLW Weighs Higher Copay Ratios for LLPs; 1/2 to Full Gap on the Table
November 7, 2025
- MHLW Outlines 4 Key Themes for 2026 Reform, Eyes OTC-Like Meds, CEA for Efficiency
October 24, 2025
- MHLW Panel Launches Full Debate on Drug Coverage Reform; LLPs, Biologics, OTC-Like Meds in Focus
October 17, 2025
- Panel Split on Delisting OTC-Like Drugs from Insurance Coverage
October 3, 2025
- Panel Flags Concern over Drug-Only Focus in Proposed Cost-Cuts for 2026 Reform
September 29, 2025
REGULATORY
- Trazenta Draws 8 Generic Entrants as Japan Clears New DPP-4 Copies
August 17, 2026
- Stelara IV Biosimilar Can Be Used for Crohn’s Induction: MHLW
August 17, 2026
- PMDA Loses USB Containing Data on 286 People, 27 Companies
August 17, 2026
- MHLW Panel Finalizes Exemptions for OTC-Like Drug Charges
August 17, 2026
- Nakai Tapped as MHLW’s Top Pharmacy Officer; Ohara to Steer Drug Pricing Reform
August 7, 2026
Japan’s pharmaceutical policy appears to be entering a new phase. The government’s newly approved honebuto policy and growth strategy both…
A few weeks ago, I had coffee with a very talented executive. Let’s call him Kenji. He has a great job, a big salary, and a solid team. But he was unhappy. He felt bored and wanted a new challenge.…
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…