REGULATORY

MHLW Eyes Limited Charge Exemptions for OTC-Like Topical Drugs

By Takashi Ebisawa July 24, 2026
Japan’s health ministry is considering exempting only a limited range of topical medicines from the additional patient charge under its upcoming “OTC-like” prescription drug scheme, with long-term moisturizers for atopic dermatitis emerging as a key example. At the third meeting…

To read the full story

Related Article

REGULATORY

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

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…