Toward a System of NHI Drug Prices and NHI Drug Pricing that is Satisfactory to the Public
Akiko Yoshida (Senior Researcher, Pharmaceutical and Industrial Policy Research Institute)
(No.83: March 2024)
Executive Summary
What kind of drug price and drug price system is highly convincing to the public? Value-based pricing is established by evaluating the various values of pharmaceuticals. The promotion of research and development and the further raising of the level of research and development will generate a wider range of evidence of value. A virtuous cycle in which the various values created continue to be delivered to the public is what will essentially bring satisfaction to the public.
Based on this belief, this paper proposes that the ideal drug price and drug pricing system should be based on the various values of innovative new drugs and the participation of patients and the public in the evaluation of values (PPI). The current situation and recognition of the issues regarding the rules and process of drug price calculation for innovative new drugs, creation of evidence, public understanding of the value of drugs, and PPI will be discussed. As a direction toward a solution, we propose a new "value explanation method" and "a highly objective and transparent decision-making process with patients and the public" for the calculation of NHI prices for innovative new drugs.
