Analysis of individual placements across 43 companies over the past 18 months paints a vivid picture of Japan’s evolving healthcare industry. This comprehensive snapshot illuminates current market demands, strategic shifts, and the enduring appeal of this pivotal Asian market.Rare Diseases…
Healthcare professionals were divided over whether to allow prescription-to-nonprescription switches for three proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) omeprazole, lansoprazole, and rabeprazole at a health ministry panel meeting on March 16. Under a new “switch OTC” scheme put in place in 2016,…
To read the full story
Related Article
- Vonoprazan Gets Panel Backing for Rx-to-OTC Switch
August 25, 2025
- All Three PPI Switch OTCs Approved following MHLW Panel OK
July 14, 2025
- Pariet’s Nonprescription Versions Approved 6 Years after Discussions Start
March 25, 2025
- Health Ministry Panel Endorses RX-to-OTC Switches of 3 PPIs
December 23, 2024
- Japan Panel Backs Rx-to-OTC Switch of 4 PPIs
July 30, 2024
- Japan Resumes Debate on Rx-to-OTC Switch of PPIs after Over 5 Years
March 22, 2024
- Council Holds Off Nonprescription Switches of PPIs Despite Public Support
December 10, 2018
- MHLW Panel Rebuffs Nonprescription Switches of 3 PPIs
August 3, 2018
- MHLW Announces 16 APIs as Candidates for Switch-OTC Status: None for Lifestyle Diseases
December 13, 2016
- New Scheme on Switch OTC Gets Underway
April 14, 2016
REGULATORY
- Public-Private Pharma Talks Expand to Domestic R&D, Manufacturing Investment
November 2, 2026
- Japan’s Healthcare Spending Hits Record 48.8 Trillion Yen in FY2024
November 2, 2026
- PMDA Renews Warning on Off-Label GLP-1 Use amid Adverse Event Reports
November 2, 2026
- PMDA Halts Medical Device Application Platform after Unauthorized Access
October 30, 2026
- Drug Makers Can Refuse Diabetes Drug Supply over Improper Prescribing: JFTC
October 30, 2026





