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Japan Pricing Update: Wegovy Finally Listed, Upcoming Special Cuts For Imfinzi, Polivy

Leqembi Discussions Ongoing

 
• By Lisa Takagi

Japan adds a batch of new drugs, including Wegovy, to the national health insurance reimbursement tariff, but discussions over Leqembi for Alzheimer’s are still ongoing, with indications that repricing could be possible if demand expands quickly.

Japan pricing update
Japan has announced reimbursement prices for new drugs approved in September, but Leqembi talks ongoing • Source: Shutterstock

Among the most notable new drugs in Japan's latest listing of reimbursement prices are Novo Nordisk A/S’s blockbuster obesity therapy Wegovy (semaglutide), Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd./Roche Holding AG’s Phesgo (pertuzumab/trastuzumab/hyaluronidase) for breast cancer and UCB S.A.’s myasthenia gravis treatment Zilbrysq (zilucoplan). 

Along with the new tariff inclusions under the country’s national health insurance (NHI) scheme, effective 22 November, authorities also announced another round of market expansion-based repricing for selected fast-growing products, which will see the price of AstraZeneca PLC’s cancer immunotherapy Imfinzi (durvalumab)

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Japan's trade ministry is providing new support to build domestic capacity for new modalities including cell and gene therapies, as part of wider efforts to support the national bioventure ecosystem.

Japan Identifies Drugs ‘In Urgent Need’ Of Development

 
• By Lisa Takagi

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Japan Pushes Generic Industry Reforms Via New Govt Fund

 
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• By Lisa Takagi

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