Some pharmaceutical manufacturing plants in Kumamoto Prefecture have suspended operations following the powerful earthquake that struck southwestern Japan on July 28, but drug distribution has so far remained largely unaffected.
Sanwa Kagaku Kenkyusho has halted operations at its plant in Uto while assessing damage to buildings and equipment. The company has not determined when production will resume.
MicroBioPharm Japan has also temporarily suspended operations at its API manufacturing site in Yatsushiro, although no damage to personnel or equipment had been confirmed as of July 29. The company said it will bring production back online once safety checks are completed.
KM Biologics, headquartered in the city of Kumamoto, said no serious incidents affecting business continuity had occurred and no employees or family members had suffered serious injuries.
The Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (JPMA) said on X that it is working closely with the government, relevant organizations, and member companies to assess the situation and prepare to supply medicines as needed.
Wholesaler Supplies Stable
Drug wholesalers have likewise reported only limited disruption to operations.
Suzuken said all employees had been confirmed safe, although a subsidiary branch office in Yatsushiro lost power and water. Products also fell from shelves at several branches and warehouses, but the company said operations had recovered sufficiently to avoid any disruption to business continuity.
Regional wholesaler Tomita Pharmaceutical said products fell from shelves at its Yatsushiro logistics center, but no significant impact on drug supplies had been confirmed. Shinseido reported power and water outages at its Yatsushiro branch office but said pharmaceutical deliveries were continuing without disruption.
While sections of the Kyushu and Minamikyushu expressways remain closed, leaving the outlook for transportation infrastructure uncertain, companies are continuing to monitor the situation while rerouting deliveries where necessary.
The Federation of Japan Pharmaceutical Wholesalers Association (JPWA) established a disaster response headquarters on July 29 to assess damage, monitor delivery conditions, and coordinate support through its member companies.
Editor’s Note: This story reflects information available as of 7 p.m. on July 29.
