From JPMA Toward Enhancing Drug Discovery Capability
As the global new drug trend diversifies toward new modalities in addition to small molecules, the absolute number of new drugs originating in Japan is on a downward trend, and its relative position in new drug creation is declining in rank. While maintaining Japan's traditional strength in small molecule drug discovery, it is necessary to urgently strengthen drug discovery capabilities in new modalities. In drug discovery of new modalities, it is important to bring together a variety of domestic and foreign players, including academia and start-ups with seeds of innovative new drugs and outstanding knowledge and technologies, as well as contract research organizations (CROs) and contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs) that support clinical trials, manufacturing, and other activities. It is essential to build a "drug discovery ecosystem," an environment in which diverse technologies, knowledge, people, goods, and money are organically linked to form an ecosystem, so to speak, in which innovative new drugs are created and delivered to patients. We must work together with the relevant government agencies and various related organizations to build this drug discovery ecosystem.
In the fiscal 2024 reform of the NHI drug price system, industry-wide efforts resulted in measures in the NHI drug price system to evaluate pharmaceutical innovations. On the other hand, the mid-year revision of NHI drug prices, which has been ongoing since FY2021, needs to be reviewed as it significantly hinders these activities to create innovation and ensure stable supply, and may lead to a decline in the quality of medical care, and will be discussed with the government and stakeholders. We will also oppose the expansion of the scope of the cost-effectiveness evaluation system, which is used to adjust the price of some new drugs, as it could significantly undermine the value of innovation.
Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association
Chairman Hiroaki Ueno
In order for the soil for innovation to take root in Japan, leading to an increase in the healthy life expectancy of the people and revitalization of economic activities, it is important to have an environment for the creation of innovative new drugs and a system in which such innovation is appropriately evaluated in terms of drug prices. New drugs should be created without interruption and delivered to patients. Investments in new drug creation should be recouped early and used for reinvestment in further drug discovery. The attractiveness of the Japanese market will be enhanced, and new drugs created overseas will be introduced quickly. I believe that an environment in which these factors form a virtuous cycle is the kind of ecosystem that Japan, as a country of drug discovery, is aiming for.
(From the Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan)
Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (JPMA)
Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (JPMA)
JPMA is a voluntary association of R&D-oriented pharmaceutical companies, and since its establishment in 1968, it has continued to contribute to global healthcare through the development of innovative new ethical drugs under the motto of "Realization of patient-participatory medicine.
JPMA is engaged in a multifaceted program of activities to solve various problems common to the pharmaceutical industry, to deepen understanding of pharmaceuticals, and to promote international collaboration. In particular, we are working for the sound development of the pharmaceutical industry by strengthening our policy formulation and advocacy activities, addressing internationalization, and reinforcing our public relations system.
Aiming to contribute to society through the development of new drugs Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association