REGULATORY

MHLW to Add Company-Driven Route to “Specific-Use Drug” Designations

December 16, 2025
Japan’s health ministry will introduce a new pathway from May 2026 allowing drug makers to ask the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) to assess whether a product qualifies as a “drug for specific use.” “Drugs for specific use” is…

To read the full story

Related Article

REGULATORY

Japan’s cost-effectiveness assessment (CEA) panel has approved a revised handling policy for the CEA system for FY2026, with the health…

By Philip Carrigan

Focus: How to Get the Talent You Need in a Tough MarketThe Japanese life sciences sector presents a challenging landscape for global companies. To succeed, you must move beyond reactive hiring and adopt a truly strategic talent acquisition model. Our…

By Ken Yoshino

Japan’s FY2026 drug price revision, officially announced on March 5, has landed poorly with the pharmaceutical industry — and the…

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…