Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) on March 5 unveiled the revised NHI prices for drugs subject to…
REGULATORY
OTC-Like Drugs Left in Limbo as Panel Debates Cost-Sharing without Clear Policy Signal
Japan’s health ministry stopped short of presenting a clear policy direction on “OTC-like” prescription drugs at a Social Security Council meeting on December 18, instead flagging the issue as “pending” in a discussion summary, with committee members still at odds…
To read the full story
Related Article
- MHLW Names 77 Active Ingredients for OTC-Like Drug Charges
December 26, 2025
- Panel Backs Extra Charges for OTC-Like Drugs While Keeping Coverage, but Design Details Still Divisive
November 28, 2025
- Patient Groups Push Back against Delisting OTC-Like Drugs; Panel Leans Toward Higher Copays
November 21, 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
- LDP Panel Chief Calls for Earlier CGP Coverage in Cancer Care
September 4, 2026
- Japan to Revisit Handling of Steroid Creams under OTC-Like Drug Charge
September 4, 2026
- UK Halts Tavneos for New Patients, Approval Revocation Set for March
September 4, 2026
- Japan Picks 5 COVID Vaccines for NIP Use from October
September 3, 2026
- New MHLW Pharma Chief Puts AI in Regulatory Reviews High on Agenda
September 3, 2026
Japan has entered a third straight year of wage hikes averaging 5%, but the pharmaceutical industry is struggling to keep…
We had just gotten off a call with a client in Europe, and we’d received a bit of an earful. “Philip,” the client pressed, “what can this candidate bring to us? We know what he does, but what has he…
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…