Newsletter November 2016 No. 176

Top News

The 28th Pharmaceutical Association of Japan Policy Seminar

On September 2, 2016, the 28th Pharmaceutical Association of Japan Policy Seminar was held at the Tokyo Conference Center Shinagawa with the main theme of "Questioning the Value of Pharmaceuticals - Considering the Evaluation of Innovation in the Universal Health Coverage System". The "Basic Policies for Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform 2015" and the "Comprehensive Strategy for Strengthening the Pharmaceutical Industry" included the importance of evaluating and promoting innovation, while a new volume share target was set to promote the use of generic drugs to at least 80% by the end of FY2020, as soon as possible between FY 2018 and FY 2020. The NHI drug price reform this fiscal year focused on reducing drug costs, including the sudden introduction of a "special expanded recalculation" for items with sales that exceeded projections. In recent years, the debate over so-called "high-cost drugs" has also attracted public attention. In this policy seminar, the discussion included not only the NHI drug pricing system but also the promotion of the optimal use of innovative drugs in order to balance the evaluation of innovation and the maintenance of the universal health insurance system. The participants included patient groups, politicians, government officials, medical professionals, media, related organizations, member companies, and others.