Every 2 years, Japan’s drug prices are revised and generally downward. The Japanese government surveyed 75 drug companies and 200 drugs recently. Of the 200 drugs, 44 will have price reductions of double digits next month. For example, Shionogi’s Crestor will be cut by at least 30%. Some specific drugs from Takeda, Novartis, UCB, and others will be reduced somewhat too. Merck’s PD-1 inhibitor’s price will not be reduced.
While most reimbursements are down, a few drugs will see price increases. Zeria pharmaceutical’s Lecicarbon suppositories prices will increase by 20% reflecting the Japanese repricing system for unprofitable products. Abbie’s Rinvoq will go up by 2% after the label was extended for pediatric indications.
Written by: Ames Gross – President and Founder, Pacific Bridge Medical (PBM)
Mr. Gross founded PBM in 1988 and has helped hundreds of medical companies with regulatory and business development issues in Asia. He is recognized nationally and internationally as a leader in the Asian medical markets. Mr. Gross has a BA degree, Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Columbia University.
Source used in the article: https://ashpublications.org/ashclinicalnews/news/6030/Pharmaceutical-Sales-in-Japan-Balancing-Innovation