The US innovation-based industry association, Pharmaceutical Research Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), has again called on Japan to reform its unpredictable and frequent reimbursement price-cutting policies for prescription drugs and to direct more funding and support to innovation in the national biopharma industry.
PhRMA's Narasimhan Asks Japan To Reform Pricing Policies
Phase I Waiver Plan 'Very Positive'
Pointing to what it says is decreased R&D in Japan in contrast to the global market, PhRMA has again urged the country to revise its drug pricing policies and support innovation, while cautiously welcoming new moves to waive a requirement for Phase I trials in the country.

More from Japan
Amid ongoing generic drug supply problems, Japan's government is to set up a new fund to support corporate investments geared towards manufacturing and consolidation.
Japan adds four new pediatric vaccines, including for MMRV and norovirus, to a list of priority vaccines eligible for assistance in regulatory processing.
Japan recommends eight new drugs for approval, including two for cardiomyopathy, and will also raise prices for multiple products, including Enhertu, on 1 April.
A plan to reduce benefits under Japan's financial safety net for patients contributing to the costs of their long-term medical care is being reconsidered by the government following protests from patient and doctor groups.
More from Asia
Japan adds four new pediatric vaccines, including for MMRV and norovirus, to a list of priority vaccines eligible for assistance in regulatory processing.
While CMC glitches linger over a US NDA for Elevar/Hengrui’s novel liver cancer combination following a second complete response letter, the separate issue of underrepresentation of US patients in multiregional trials is looming large after new FDA draft guidance last year.
The main 2025 policy priorities for China's government as outlined in an annual report will include the strengthening of commercial insurance for innovative drugs and opening up cell and gene therapy and the hospital sector to foreign investment.