In the past, visits to Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) for advice were free and non-binding. At these sessions, the MHLW officials usually would not make any comments, or if any comments were made, they normally did not carry... Read More
The implementation of new information technology (IT) services in Korean hospitals enables patients to receive faster and more accurate diagnosis and treatment. These new IT services include the use of the Internet for remote diagnosis, teleconferencing, and the establishment of internal computer... Read More
The race is on among foreign pharmaceutical manufacturers to meet the needs of Japan’s increasingly aging female population. Demand for treatments for osteoporosis, breast cancer, and other post-menopausal ailments is expected to grow in line with the rising number of women suffering... Read More
From July 1, 2004, the sale of over the counter antibiotics will be severely limited in China. Antibiotics not included in a list of legitimate OTCs can only be sold with a doctor’s prescription. Popular drugs like penicillin and sulphonamide, now commonly... Read More
To curtail a shortage in pharmacists at government hospitals, Malaysia has instituted a new law requiring pharmacy graduates to spend three years working in the public sector before being allowed to move on to the private sector. Only about 19% of practicing... Read More
The Drug Import Regulation, issued by the State Food and Drug Administration and in effect since January 1, 2004, allows for the faster sale of imported medicine. Imported drugs can now be sold immediately upon clearing customs. Previously, the sale of imported... Read More
Home to a booming population and low costs, India is rapidly becoming a preferred destination for drug companies to conduct clinical trials quickly and cheaply. Performing clinical trials in India can be 50%-60% cheaper than in North America or Europe. Other practical... Read More
The higher costs associated with conducting clinical trials in Japan is forcing many of Japan’s top pharmaceutical manufacturers to perform their clinical studies in other countries. This has resulted in the reduction of the number of clinical trials performed in Japan. Contract... Read More
On September 25, 2003, the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies (WFCMS) was founded in Beijing, China to promote traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) worldwide. The organization will establish a means by which TCMs can be monitored internationally in order to ensure high... Read More
Japanese drug makers are looking into the future and investing in drug development based on the human genome. Major Japanese pharmaceutical manufacturers are now looking for links between drugs and genetics since the effective completion of the human genome map. Drug makers... Read More