COMMENTARY
MHLW’s Feat to Link Drug Review and Reimbursement Policies Put to Test with “Expensive Drugs”
The “sakigake” pricing premium introduced in April was hailed by the pharma industry as something that would improve predictability, because it links drug reviews and reimbursement prices by giving a premium to products designated under the sakigake fast-track review pathway.…
To read the full story
Related Article
COMMENTARY
- G1 Rule to Hit Originator Biologics for First Time, Impact Seen for Up to 13 Brands
February 25, 2026
- Hisamitsu’s MBO: Is Shareholder Accountability Trust-Building or a Shackle?
February 18, 2026
- Is Calling for an Abolition the Right Play? Rethinking Japan’s FY2027 Off-Year Drug Price Revision
February 9, 2026
- Japan’s Biological Raw Material Rules Enter Major Revision; Clarity on Benefits and Safety Holds Key
February 5, 2026
- TSE’s Growth Market Reform Puts Pressure on Biotechs
January 27, 2026
I recently sat down with one of the leading medical directors in Japan to discuss the critical evolution of the medical science liaison (MSL) role.The MSL has transformed from a scientific resource into a strategic partner essential for successful product…





