New Year's Greetings from the President of JPMA, 2022
January 5, 2022
Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association
Chairman Yasufumi Okada
As we begin 2022, I would like to extend my sincere New Year’s greetings.
As the world continues to face the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 5 million people have lost their lives to date.In Japan, thanks to the progress of vaccination efforts and the thorough infection control measures taken by the public, the number of cases has been kept in check, and signs of the pandemic subsiding are becoming apparent. However, considering the global infection situation—including the emergence of the Omicron variant—the situation remains far from over. I would like to express my deepest sympathies to those who have been infected, those who have passed away, and their families.
As the pharmaceutical industry, we are working diligently to develop domestically produced vaccines and oral treatments to bring the fight against the novel coronavirus to an end. At the same time, we will work in close collaboration with industry, government, and academia to steadily advance preparations for the next pandemic.
Last year marked a major turning point for the pharmaceutical industry. The current pandemic has highlighted the recognition that pharmaceuticals are a critical strategic asset for national security, and the “Growth Strategy Implementation Plan,” approved by the Cabinet in June, designated life sciences as a key strategic sector on par with digital and green technologies.Furthermore, in September, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare issued the “Pharmaceutical Industry Vision 2021”—the first in eight years—which expands upon pharmaceutical industry policies targeting innovative drug discovery, generic drugs, and pharmaceutical distribution by incorporating the perspective of economic security.The pharmaceutical industry welcomes the formulation of this vision, and we will take these expectations seriously and spare no effort in bringing them to fruition.
In order to continuously produce innovative new drugs from Japan, it is necessary to build a drug discovery ecosystem in which industry, government, and academia collaborate to bring promising research leads from startups and academia to practical application.To achieve this, it is necessary to form a bio-community—similar to that in Boston—where highly entrepreneurial talent gathers, startups conducting cutting-edge research are launched, and various research institutions collaborate organically; to develop a big data infrastructure for health and medical care; and to establish a drug pricing system that appropriately evaluates innovation.In particular, it is essential to maintain appropriate drug pricing levels based on the value of innovation during the patent term and to sustain a cycle in which the revenue generated is reinvested to drive further innovation. For this reason, a “mechanism to maintain drug prices during the patent term” serves as a lifeline supporting the pharmaceutical industry.
The JPMA and its member companies will continue to strive to create innovative new drugs that address unmet medical needs, support the extension of the public’s healthy life expectancy, and serve as a core industry driving the growth of the Japanese economy. We ask for your understanding and support, and with this, I conclude my New Year’s message.