Japan’s pharmaceutical industry continued to suffer from a years-long distribution crisis in 2022, which especially affected generic products despite a year that saw surging demand from medical institutions amid repeated local waves of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Japan 2022 Review/Outlook: Supply Crisis, Incentives, Cost Controls In Focus
Balance Of Give And Take
As Japan's pharma market continues to face supply chain challenges and rising healthcare costs, regulatory authorities are looking to policies that balance incentives in critical areas and temporary price rises with other other ongoing measures to contain the national drugs bill. The Pink Sheet takes a look at the key changes last year and what to expect in 2023.
More from Japan
Major foreign pharma industry groups in Japan are threatening to pull out of a planned public-private council initiative over a proposed sales tax on certain drugs to fund drug discovery.
Multiple industry groups in Japan warn that a decision to implement an "off-year" drug price revision in April will reverse other recent policy moves to support innovation.
A shifting political power balance in Japan is leading to renewed debate on the pace of regular drug reimbursement price cuts.
Formal full official approvals for both products expected by early January, which would in both cases be the first to be granted worldwide.