Discover key facts about the healthcare market in Japan and learn about our latest market research for our pharmaceutical, medical device, and healthcare sector clients.
Key facts about the Japanese health market:
Funding in the Japanese healthcare system
Japan has a universal statutory health insurance-based system.
Health technology assessment in the Japan
The price of medicines and medical devices is set by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, based on advice from Chuikyo, who play a central role in price setting through a number of mechanisms.
Following price-setting, drug prices and reimbursement prices for devices follow a bi-annual price revision system, which typically trends downwards. In addition, selected medicines and medical devices with high predicted sales are reviewed by the Center for Outcomes Research and Economic Evaluation for Health (C2H), who conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis. Following this analysis, the price may be further adjusted.
Japanese payers’ primary focus:
There is a cost-effectiveness/budget impact focus in Japan.
Why work with a European-based market access consultancy?
If Japan is your first launch market, you may be wondering about the benefits of working with a European-based consultancy over a local agency.
First and foremost, we are a Global Market Access agency. Whilst the majority of our team are based in the UK, we deliver projects to Global clients around the world. As such, we understand the needs and processes of major launch markets and archetypes, and how to factor these into a cohesive Global market access strategy.
Our work takes a broader perspective than the first launch market. This is particularly important in a complex market like that of Japan, where a clear pricing strategy is key. We use our understanding of all market archetypes to deliver a suitable strategy for Japan and other key markets in Asia, Europe, the Americas, and beyond.
We collaborate with our affiliates across the world to ensure our strategic and tactical deliverables resonate with key stakeholders, such as payers, clinicians, and policy makers. This ensures that local adaptations of Global materials, which are developed with affiliates in mind, are efficient and meet the needs of different markets.
To discuss your launch strategy for Japan with our experts, or to enquire about market research services, get in touch using the form below.
Our work in the Japanese market
At Mtech Access, we have a global network of Associates, including experts in Japan. Their insights inform our primary research and validate our secondary research.
Here is one example of how we have supported clients looking to understand and influence the healthcare market in Japan:
View Case StudyResearching market access pathways, reimbursement requirements and implications of orphan drug designation for a rare disease product
-
-
More Japanese market insights and research
Implementation of cost-effectiveness analyses in Japan’s health technology assessment process
In April 2019 a new route to reimbursement in Japan was formally implemented. It requires certain new medicines and medical devices to undergo a cost-effectiveness analysis, effectively adding an additional market access hurdle for this subset of products. Here, Heather Wellam (Senior Consultant – Market Access, Mtech Access) explains…
