JPMA Presidents Press Conference Steady progress and direction toward policy realization centered on drug discovery, production, drug pricing system, medical DX, and human resource development

On February 19, 2026, the JPMA President's Press Conference was held. At this press conference, JPMA Chairman Asuka Miyabashira took the stage and under the theme of "Creating the Future of Medicine Together with the Power of Change and Challenge," he presented the progress of his initiatives since assuming the presidency and the direction of future policy realization. At the press conference, presentations were made on important themes surrounding the pharmaceutical industry, such as strengthening the foundation for drug discovery, making the domestic production system of pharmaceuticals more robust, responding to the NHI drug price system, promoting medical DX, and fostering human resources for science and technology. During the Q&A session, presentations were made on the Mid-Year Revision, the Japan Growth Strategy Council's efforts to urge the government to realize policies related to drug discovery, advanced medicine, synthetic biology, and biotechnology, the direction of Medical DX, the new collaboration between the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) and JPMA to strengthen the drug discovery ecosystem, and the "AND-E The Chairman, President, and Executive Director presented their views in response to questions regarding the promotion of the "AND-E: Andy" initiative and other issues.

Questions and Answers

Review since assuming the chairmanship: Development of activities centered on "co-creation

At the beginning of his remarks, Chairman Miyabashira reiterated the importance of "rebuilding a sustainable Japanese healthcare model" and "co-creation of value," which he set forth when he took office, and stated that it is difficult for the pharmaceutical industry alone to solve problems and that it is necessary to address common issues through dialogue with diverse stakeholders, including the public, patients, government, academia, and industry. He also mentioned the need to address common issues through dialogue with diverse stakeholders, including the public, patients, government, academia, and industry. Since assuming office, he has expanded dialogue and collaboration through the Public-Private Council for Drug Discovery Enhancement, the Central Social Insurance Medical Council (Chuikyo), and the NIKKEI Drug Discovery Ecosystem Summit, and introduced how these efforts have served as a foundation for policy realization.

He also touched on the changes in the environment since he assumed the chairmanship, pointing out that while uncertainty has increased due to the MFN drug pricing policy in the U.S. and changes in the domestic administration, health and medical security and strengthening drug discovery capabilities have been positioned as important policy themes. Chairman Miyabashira recognized that "changes should be viewed as an opportunity, not a crisis, and that the public and private sectors should work together to strengthen Japan's pharmaceutical industry.

Key Themes for Policy Realization

Strengthen drug discovery: Accelerate practical application with AND-E at the core

In the area of drug discovery, he explained that in January 2026, the JPMA and AMED signed an agreement on "AND-E" and launched a new framework to accelerate the commercialization of drug discovery seeds.

Under this initiative, researchers from JPMA member companies will participate in AMED to evaluate drug discovery potential, design research scenarios based on Target Product Profiles (TPPs), and formulate development roadmaps with a view to achieving IND^※ status. The JPMA and AMED will jointly check the progress of the project and aim to take it to the next stage, such as establishing a start-up or out-licensing to a company, if the project has a high potential for commercialization. In the future, AMED announced that it is also looking into the implementation of the IND ENGINE function to continuously enhance the practical application of drug discovery.

Strengthening domestic manufacturing of pharmaceuticals: From the perspective of health and medical security

He indicated that Japan's domestic self-sufficiency rate for pharmaceuticals is approximately 25%, and only 14% for biopharmaceuticals, and recognized that a stable supply of pharmaceuticals is not only an economic policy issue, but also a security issue.

He mentioned the need to set a national goal of 100% domestic self-sufficiency for critical supply of pharmaceuticals, and indicated the importance of (1) designating critical pharmaceuticals and setting self-sufficiency targets, (2) focused investment in domestic manufacturing facilities and raw materials, (3) support to bridge the gap from R&D to mass production, and (4) ensuring production capacity through public-private partnerships. He also explained that public and private investment in strengthening manufacturing bases and human resource development is essential to build a domestic production base that is sustainable in both peacetime and emergency situations. He stated that this is expected to have a ripple effect on the domestic economy and job creation.

NHI Drug Pricing System: Balancing Sustainability and Growth

Regarding the NHI drug price system, while he praised the verification of the cost-effectiveness evaluation system and the review of market expansion re-calculation as a certain progress, he pointed out that the system as a whole is biased toward drug price reductions as an issue. In particular, he stated that urgent discussions are needed on reflecting the value of innovative new drugs, breaking away from dependence on deviation rates, and reviewing reimbursement based solely on the size of sales. He also reiterated the need for national discussion on the healthcare system, which is in a trilemma relationship that cannot simultaneously achieve the three goals of "access," "quality," and "cost.

Medical DX: Quantifying Value and Overall Optimization

Regarding medical DX, he indicated the importance of streamlining and optimizing the allocation of resources through DX, against the backdrop of the shortage of medical resources and challenges to the sustainability of the social security system. He explained that efforts should not be limited to medical institutions and the long-term care sector, but should be promoted from the perspective of overall optimization, including industry and government. On the other hand, he stated that the current situation is that the presentation of achievement indicators and outcomes is not sufficient, and the value of medical DX is difficult to convey to the public and patients.

He indicated that he intends to promote cross-industry dialogue, focusing on (1) quantification and visualization of the value of medical DX and (2) information dissemination and evidence-based proposals to broaden social understanding of medical DX.

Science and Technology Human Resource Development: Investing in the Future

In the latter half of the meeting, the importance of human resource development in science and technology was explained. Against the backdrop of a declining birthrate, issues related to the base of science and engineering personnel, and a decrease in the number of doctoral candidates, he recognized the need for industry to take a proactive role in fostering the next generation. JPMA is expanding opportunities for people to experience the excitement of medicine and science through experimental events for elementary school students, career education for junior and senior high school students, and on-site classes at universities. In addition, in the Senden Kaigi Award (junior high and high school student category), which we sponsored for the first time in fiscal 2025, "Making Unseen Treatments a Normal Part of the Future" received the Pharmaceutical Cooperative Award. was awarded the JPMA Award, and the opportunity to experience the expectations of the next generation was also introduced.

Summary: Challenges for the future through co-creation and transformation

In concluding the conference, Chairman Miyabashira emphasized that efforts to strengthen the foundation for drug discovery, to strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities, to improve the market attractiveness of the drug pricing system, and to promote medical DX are all part of building a foundation that will support the health of the people and the growth of Japan. He expressed his intention to continue to transform changes in the environment into opportunities based on "co-creation" and "transformation," while aiming to realize the "Innovation in Drug Discovery for the World," as stated in JPMA's Vision for 2035.

Scene of the press conference

(Risa Ishimoto, Pharmaceutical Industrial Policy Committee)

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