Topics Held "Pharmaceutical Industry Vision 2021 Briefing Session
The "Pharmaceutical Industry Vision 2021" was announced by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare on September 13, 2021. This is the first time in 8 years since the previous vision in 2013. This is the first time in 8 years since the previous vision in 2013. The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Japan (PMAJ) welcomes the "Vision 2021 for the Pharmaceutical Industry" and is committed to the We will do our utmost to fulfill the expectations of all stakeholders, including the public, for the pharmaceutical industry. We welcome the "Pharmaceutical Industry Vision 2021" and will do our utmost to realize it. In response to the "Pharmaceutical Industry Vision 2021," the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Japan (PMAJ) will welcome the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) on October 1, 2021, to promote understanding of the "Pharmaceutical Industry Vision 2021. In response to the "Pharmaceutical Industry Vision 2021," on October 1, 2021, the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Japan (PMAJ) held a briefing session for PMAJ member companies to promote understanding of the "Pharmaceutical Industry Vision 2021" in an online format.
Introduction
The day's proceedings were facilitated by Mr. Hitoshi Someya, Chairman of the General Policy Subcommittee of the Industrial Policy Committee of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Japan (PMAJ), followed by opening remarks by Mr. Koichi Ando, Director, Economic Affairs Division, Medical Policy Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, and Mr. Toshihiro Hayashi, former Director, Economic Affairs Division, followed by an explanation and Q&A session by Mr. Takayuki Sodoku, Assistant Director, and finally an acknowledgement by Mr. Masaomi Akana, Chairman, Industrial Policy Committee. Below is a summary and transcript of this briefing.
Summary
| Date and Time | : Friday, October 1, 2021, 15:30-17:00 |
| Method of the event | : Remote format |
| Target audience | Pharmaceutical Association of Japan member companies |
| Contents | Description of the Pharmaceutical Industry Vision 2021" (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) |
| Speakers | : Mr. Toshihiro Hayashi, Director, Child Care Division, Child and Family Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (Former Director, Economic Affairs Division) Mr. Koichi Ando, Director, Economic Affairs Division, Medical Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare Mr. Takayuki Sotoku, Assistant Director, Economic Affairs Division, Medical Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare |
Transcript
Greeting
Toshihiro Hayashi, Director, Child Care Division, Child and Family Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Former Director, Economic Affairs Division)
The past two years have been a period of many milestones for me personally since I became Director of the Economic Affairs Division, Medical Affairs Bureau, MHLW. The mid-year revision in 2021 had a greater-than-expected impact on the pharmaceutical industry, and the industry's voice was not fully heard. It is regrettable that the voice of the industry was not adequately reflected in the midyear revision in 2021, which had a greater-than-expected impact on the pharmaceutical industry.
On the other hand, we were also busy with measures against the new coronavirus infection for two years, and there were various opinions about the lack of domestically produced medicines and vaccines, and the need for a pharmaceutical industry policy became a major issue amid public opinion that Japan needs to strengthen its drug discovery capabilities, a factor that led to the formulation of the "Pharmaceutical Industry Vision We believe this is one of the factors that led to the formulation of "Pharmaceutical Industry Vision 2021.
The issue of stable supply of pharmaceuticals was also highlighted as a major challenge. We have established the "Stakeholder Council on Measures to Ensure Stable Supply of Ethical Drugs" to discuss the issue of stable supply of pharmaceuticals. The report and recommendations have been compiled, but there are still some points that have not been realized, and these are addressed in the "Pharmaceutical Industry Vision 2021.
The "Pharmaceutical Industry Vision 2021" was developed by reflecting the opinions of the pharmaceutical industry and various other stakeholders, but it is not the end of the process; it requires cooperation from all sectors and a unified effort by the public and private sectors. I ask that you continue to work with the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in cooperation with the Economic Affairs Division. Although I have just been transferred to a new position, I would like to continue to be a supporter of the development of the pharmaceutical industry.
Greeting
Mr. Koichi Ando, Director, Economic Affairs Division, Medical Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW)
I have been newly appointed as Director of the Economic Affairs Division, Medical Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. This is my first time to be involved in pharmaceutical administration, and I feel that I have to learn from scratch. The Pharmaceutical Industry Vision 2021, which has just been formulated, identifies the challenges facing the pharmaceutical industry and the roadmaps for solving them. I recognize that it is the mission of the Director of the Economic Affairs Division to work with you to resolve the various issues, one by one, in concrete form, with your cooperation. I look forward to your cooperation.
Explanation of "Pharmaceutical Industry Vision 2021
Mr. Takayuki Sotoku, Assistant Director, Economic Affairs Division, Medical Policy Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Mr. Takayuki Sodoku, Assistant Director, Economic Affairs Division, Medical Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, explained the vision that the Pharmaceutical Industry Policy aims for, using the "Pharmaceutical Industry Vision 2021" (outline). The Pharmaceutical Industry Policy is,
| (1) | As one of the world's leading countries in drug discovery, to contribute to the extension of healthy life expectancy in Japan through innovative drug discovery, and to contribute to industrial and economic development through the improvement of medical research and industrial technology. |
| (2) | To pass on to the next generation a society in which citizens can receive quality medical care with peace of mind through the assurance of quality and stable supply of pharmaceutical products. |
In addition to aiming for these two points, I pointed out that in implementing the program, it is important that there is a prospect for recovery of appropriate compensation commensurate with the investment in the company.
He also indicated that industrial policy will be developed by adding the perspective of "economic security" to the issues of "innovative drug discovery," "generic drugs," and "drug distribution.
Furthermore, using the "Pharmaceutical Industry Vision 2021" (main text), he explained in detail the meaning of each issue and its background, which helped the members in attendance deepen their understanding of the background and meaning of each issue.
Questions and Answers
Prior to this briefing, questions regarding "Pharmaceutical Industry Vision 2021" were solicited from each subcommittee of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Japan (PMAJ) Industrial Policy Committee, and many questions were received. Mr. Sotoku answered as many questions as time allowed, including some from the audience.
Acknowledgements
Chairman, Industrial Policy Committee, Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Japan ( PALMA )
I have been newly appointed as Director of the Economic Affairs Division, Medical Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. This is my first time to be involved in pharmaceutical administration, and I feel that I have to learn from scratch. The Pharmaceutical Industry Vision 2021, which has just been formulated, identifies the challenges facing the pharmaceutical industry and the roadmaps for solving them. I recognize that it is the mission of the Director of the Economic Affairs Division to work with you to resolve the various issues, one by one, in concrete form, with your cooperation. I look forward to your cooperation.
We would like to thank Mr. Sotoku for this valuable opportunity to directly explain the "Pharmaceutical Industry Vision 2021" and for his detailed and thoughtful explanation. Immediately after the announcement of the "Pharmaceutical Industry Vision 2021," the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Japan (PMAJ) issued a statement of great welcome.
Supporting the health of the people and extending their healthy life expectancy are the most important infrastructure investments a nation can make. The statement also recognized that it is important for Japan, as one of the world's leading drug discovery countries, to contribute to the extension of healthy life expectancy through innovative drug discovery, and to contribute to industrial and economic development through the improvement of medical research and industrial technology, and that it is important to have the prospect of an appropriate return on investment.
In addition, it is essential to establish a drug discovery ecosystem to ensure the continuous production of innovative new drugs from Japan, and to this end, it is essential to implement a cycle in which the value of innovation is appropriately evaluated and the revenue obtained is reinvested in the creation of further innovation.
The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Japan (PMAJ) will do its utmost to create innovative new drugs that satisfy unmet medical needs and ensure a stable supply of high-quality pharmaceuticals in order to meet the expectations of the public. To this end, the public and private sectors will work together to realize our industrial policy.
Concluding Remarks
Through this briefing session, the participating members were able to further deepen their understanding of the "Pharmaceutical Industry Vision 2021". It was an opportunity to renew our commitment to work together with the public and private sectors to support the health of the people and to extend the healthy life expectancy of the people.
( Kenichiro Shimizu, Comprehensive Policy Subcommittee, Industrial Policy Committee)