Japan’s contract drug rep ratio rose to 8.7% in FY2024 as the total number of regular reps continued to fall, the Japan Contract Sales Organization Association (JCSOA) reported in June. Amid industry downsizing, the roles and expectations placed on contract…
REGULATORY
Ishin Nixes Ruling Bloc’s Draft Social Security Plans over OTC-Like Drug Issue
The opposition Japan Innovation Party (Nippon Ishin) on May 29 spurned a draft interim agreement presented by the ruling camp over their talks on social security reform due to a deep rift persisting between the two sides over what to…
To read the full story
Related Article
- Ruling Bloc, Ishin Agree to Discuss Coverage of OTC-Like Drugs
June 12, 2025
- 3 Parties Agree to Review OTC-Like Drugs from FY2026, but Details Still in the Air
June 9, 2025
- Topic of OTC-Like Drugs Dropped from 3-Party Talks: Ishin
May 27, 2025
- Impact of Nationwide Implementation of Regional Formularies “Difficult to Estimate”: MHLW Official
May 23, 2025
- OTC-Like Drug Is Hardest Topic in Tripartite Social Security Talks: Japan PM
May 22, 2025
- Regional Formulary Push Pops Up from Ishin at 3-Party Talks
May 16, 2025
- Ruling Bloc, Ishin Reach No Deal on Coverage of OTC-Like Drugs
May 8, 2025
- MHLW to Present Estimate on Coverage Removal of OTC-Like Meds at 3-Party Talks
April 24, 2025
- Ruling Coalition Wary of Scrapping Coverage for OTC-Like Drugs
April 21, 2025
- Medical Advocacy Group Condemns Plan to Remove Coverage for OTC-Like Drugs
April 17, 2025
- Scrap Coverage for OTC-Like Drugs with Same APIs and Dose as OTC Meds: Nippon Ishin
April 14, 2025
- 3-Party Talks Fail to Reach Specifics on OTC-Like Drugs
April 4, 2025
- Three-Party Talks to Be Held on Health Coverage of OTC-Like Drugs: Minister
March 4, 2025
REGULATORY
- Astellas’ Izervay, Otsuka’s Nexletol among New Drugs Up for Japan Panel Review; Eylea Biosimilars Also on Agenda
August 19, 2025
- MHLW Official Vows Steady Implementation of Amended PMD Act
August 19, 2025
- Japan Weighs Legal Framework for Pharmaceutical Data Protection; JPMA Sees Opportunity for Reform
August 19, 2025
- MHLW’s New Pharma Chief Pledges Safer, More Accessible Drug Environment
August 19, 2025
- Nipro Secures AG for Forxiga, Sawai and Teva Takeda Go Without Hydrate
August 18, 2025
A recent conversation with a US biopharma senior director highlighted a critical talent gap: a strong demand for individuals with strategic management, critical thinking, and advanced business acumen-skills beyond traditional operational excellence. After the conversation, I rushed home and picked…
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 key reimbursement policy panel on December 25 approved an outline of the FY2025 drug price revision, finalizing plans to…
For the first time in many years, Japan appeared to have pivoted to a pro-innovation path with the FY2024 drug pricing reform. All eyes were apparently on this course change as seen in this year’s most-read story list, though the…
A Japanese health ministry panel discussing the generic industry structure on May 22 put together a report in which it…
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) posted the final report compiled by its pharmaceutical regulation panel on its website on April 24, providing cases of drugs that could be exempted from all-case post marketing surveillance (PMS).The MHLW plans…
Japan’s all-important reimbursement policy panel on December 20 approved an outline of drug pricing reforms for FY2024, which enshrines a…
The Japanese health ministry’s expert panel tasked to discuss comprehensive policies for the rapid and stable supply of pharmaceuticals generally…