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)The growing global market and the flat Japanese market
Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association
Chairman Yasushi Okada
How can we continue to deliver the world's highest level of medical care to the people of Japan?
As insurance finances become even tighter in the future due to the aging of society and other factors, discussions that go beyond the existing framework are necessary to achieve both 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. Regarding innovative new drugs, the JPMA has recently argued that not only their medical value but also various other values, such as improved 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 JPMA press conference held on January 20)
Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (JPMA)
Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (JPMA)
JPMA was founded in 1968 as an organization of R&D-oriented pharmaceutical companies with the aim of contributing 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.
JPMA is dedicated to the realization of patient-participatory medicine through activities to deepen understanding of pharmaceuticals and policy recommendations for the sound development of the pharmaceutical industry.
As a member organization of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), JPMA 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