Posted by Michael Wonder on 18 Nov 2017
Japan to step up price cuts for off-patent drugs
18 November 2017 - New pricing scheme aimed at curbing soaring medical expenses.
Japan will slash in increments its government-set prices of originator drugs whose patents have expired, part of efforts of stem the country's rapidly increasing health costs.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has drawn up a proposal for overhauling the country's existing pricing system. In addition to cutting prices of off-patent drugs, the change also aims to bring down prices of expensive, innovative treatments.
