Reimbursement for Pharmaceuticals/Drugs in Japan

Getting the best reimbursement for your pharmaceutical/drugs is a key factor in increasing sales in Japan.

Reimbursement levels for drugs are recommended by the Central Social Insurance Medical Council (Chuikyo), and enacted based on that recommendation by the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW). Chuikyo is a consultative group consisting of representatives of the government, the public, the medical profession, and various other specializations.

Prices for all drugs are reviewed and adjusted every few years, while the procedure for an initial price for a newly marketed drug is separate. Chuikyo tends to reduce the costs of existing drugs in an attempt to prevent the aging population from making healthcare spending unaffordable.

For more information on pharmaceutical/drug reimbursement in Japan, please see the following PBM publications and/or contact us to discuss your specific needs.

Contract Research Organizations in Asia 2011 (publication for sale)
Orphan Drugs in Asia: Guidelines and Regulatory Requirements 2011 (publication for sale)
Foreign Manufacturer Accreditation for Drugs in Japan (webcast for sale)
Doing Business in Japan (webcast for sale)
How to Get the Right Regulatory Assistance in Japan
Japan Pharmaceutical Update