From JPMA On the Start of Discussions on Pharmaceutical Industry Policies
Current Status and Recognition of Issues
In September 2021, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) issued the "Pharmaceutical Industry Vision 2021" for the first time in eight years. With the growing momentum that the nation as a whole should take action on pharmaceutical industry policies, discussions by the public and private sectors will finally begin. We would like to discuss how the pharmaceutical industry policy should support the health of the people and the growth of the Japanese economy on a national basis, rather than as an extension of the previous discussions or as an individualized discussion.
In anticipation of this discussion, we would like to explain the following topics as the current status and recognition of issues surrounding the pharmaceutical industry and its policies.
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(1)The contribution of innovative pharmaceuticals to healthcare
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(2)Toward the realization of total healthcare solutions
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(3)Growing Global Market and Flattening Japanese Market
Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, Inc.
Yasushi Okada, Chairman
How to Continue to Deliver the World's Highest Standard of Medical Care to the Public
As the aging of Japan's population and other factors further strain insurance finances in the future, discussions that go beyond the existing framework are necessary to balance innovation and universal health coverage. It will also be essential to have a national discussion on the scope of benefits and burden structure of public medical insurance. We believe that it will also be necessary to review the current situation in which public medical insurance covers all drugs, from "new drugs" that bring breakthrough therapeutic effects to "drugs that have changed their clinical status since their launch.
In addition, it is clear that the factors and roles of price components are different for new drugs under patent, long-listed drugs, and generics. We believe it is also necessary to discuss how prices should be from the perspective of global standards in accordance with their characteristics. With regard to innovative new drugs, the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Japan (PMAJ) has recently argued that not only medical value but also various other values, such as improvement of labor productivity, should be evaluated. On the other hand, we are naturally aware that there is a debate about further strengthening the merit of drug prices among new drugs.
We would like to face the discussions on the "Pharmaceutical Industry Vision 2021" in the public and private sectors based on this recognition of the current situation and issues.
(From the January 20 press conference by the head of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Japan)
Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (JPMA)
Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (JPMA)
The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Japan (PMAJ), founded in 1968, is an association of R&D-oriented pharmaceutical companies that aim to contribute to the improvement of health and welfare of people around the world through research and development of ethical drugs for use in hospitals, clinics, and other medical institutions.
The organization is dedicated to promoting a deeper understanding of pharmaceuticals and providing policy recommendations for the sound development of the pharmaceutical industry, with the aim of realizing patient-participatory medicine.
As a member organization of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Japan (PAPJ) is engaged in global activities in cooperation with other organizations to address issues related to medicine and pharmaceuticals around the world.
Aiming to contribute to society through the development of new drugs Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association