Japan PMA concerns on NHI revisions

Although the once-yearly revision of Japan's National Health Insurance drug price has been avoided for 2007 (Marketletter January 15), "we cannot help but be concerned about the revision in the near future because it will continue to be discussed within the Chuikyo (the Central Social Medical Insurance Council)," stated Tatsuo Higuchi, chairman of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers' Association, of Tokyo, which consists of the Tokyo-based R&D-oriented manufacturers. Mr Higuchi, who is also president of Otsuka Pharmaceutical, expressed his views at a new year's social gathering in Tokyo earlier this month.

In making his remarks, he reiterated the fact that the pharmaceutical industry is opposed to the plan of an annual NHI drug price revision. In addition, he called for the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare to include appropriate policies for the NHI pharmaceutical pricing, R&D and approval review systems into the new legislation for the drug industry now in progress so as to reflect the sector's views and opinions.