"Press Conference by the Chairman of the JPMA" Held 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 held a press conference. At the conference, JPMA Chairperson Asuka Miyabashira took the stage and, under the theme “Harnessing Change and Challenges to Build the Future of Healthcare Together,” outlined the progress of initiatives since she assumed the chairmanship and the association’s policy direction for the future.During the press conference, announcements were made regarding key issues facing the pharmaceutical industry, including strengthening the foundation for drug discovery, enhancing the resilience of domestic pharmaceutical production systems, addressing the drug pricing system, promoting digital transformation (DX) in healthcare, and fostering talent in science and technology.During the Q&A session, questions were raised regarding the mid-term health insurance rate revision; lobbying efforts directed at the government to implement policies related to drug discovery, advanced medical care, synthetic biology, and the biotechnology sector as discussed at the Japan Growth Strategy Council; the direction of digital transformation in healthcare; and the promotion of “AND-E:AND-E,” aimed at strengthening the drug discovery ecosystem. The Chairman, President, and Executive Director shared their views on these matters.
Questions and Answers
Reflections Since Taking Office as Chairman: Expanding Activities Centered on “Co-creation”
At the outset, Chairman Miyabashira reiterated the importance of “rebuilding a sustainable Japanese healthcare model” and “co-creation of value,” which he had highlighted upon taking office. He noted that it is difficult for the pharmaceutical industry alone to solve these challenges and emphasized the need to address common issues through dialogue with diverse stakeholders, including the public, patients, government agencies, academia,and industry. He noted that since taking office, dialogue and collaboration have expanded through forums such as the Public-Private Council for Enhancing Drug Discovery Capabilities, the Central Social Insurance Medical Council (Chuikyo), and the Nikkei Drug Discovery Ecosystem Summit, and he explained that these initiatives form the foundation for the realization of policy goals.
He also touched on changes in the environment since assuming the chairmanship, noting that while uncertainty is rising against the backdrop of developments in the U.S. most-favored-nation (MFN) drug pricing policy and changes in the domestic administration, health and medical security and the strengthening of drug discovery capabilities are positioned as key policy themes.Chairman Miyabashira expressed the view that “we should view change not as a crisis but as an opportunity, and work together—the public and private sectors as one—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.
- *IND: Investigational New Drug. A new drug that is ready for clinical trials in humans.
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 closing the press conference, Chairman Miyabashira emphasized that initiatives such as strengthening the drug discovery infrastructure, building resilience in domestic manufacturing capabilities, establishing a drug pricing system that enhances market attractiveness, and promoting digital transformation (DX) in healthcare all serve to lay the groundwork for supporting the health of the public and Japan’s economic growth.He expressed the intention to continue focusing on “co-creation” and “transformation,” turning environmental changes into opportunities while aiming to realize the “drug discovery innovation that reaches the world” as outlined in JPMA’s Vision for 2035.
Scene of the press conference
(Risa Ishimoto, Pharmaceutical Industrial Policy Committee)