Japanese hospitals adopt more generics

In response to a request from Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the National Hospital Organization - governing 145 national  hospitals - disclosed the list of its adopted generic drugs on its web  site as well as the national medical centers including the National  Cancer Center and National Cardiovascular Center did (Marketletter  March 2).

According to the NHO, these hospitals have adopted 2,082 generic  medicines in total, in addition to 4,088 branded products. The  Organization said the Pharmaceuticals Affairs Committee of each  national hospital is deciding whether it will adopt copycat drugs after  confirming their quality, as well as the supply and  information-providing systems of generic drugmakers.

The MHLW expects that the further adoption of generic drugs by national  hospitals and medical centers will facilitate the use of such products  among other public and private medical hospitals throughout the  nation.