MHLW Reports Little Progress In Japan’s Generic Drug Use

Ministry of Health Labor and Welfare Minister Yoichiro Masuzoe and Treasury Minister Shoichi Nakagawa Dec. 18 announced a plan of reducing ¥220 billion in social insurance growth for fiscal year 2009, in which the real reduction will come from ¥23 billion as a result of generic drug use. However, a report released Dec. 15 by MHLW painted a discouraging picture of generic drug use in Japan, even amidst several pushes from the ministry to promote usage during the year.