Contemporary generic market in Japan – key conditions to successful evolution

Abstract

2 SummaryJapanese pharmaceutical market, world's 2 nd largest in size, is traditionally renowned for its brands' domination and weakest generics share among major established economies. An in depth observation of published evidence in Japanese/English language provided closer insight into current trends in Japanese domestic legislation and pharmaceutical market development. Recent governmental interventions have resulted in significant expansion of generic medicines market size. Substantial savings due to generic substitution of brand name drugs have already been achieved and are likely to increase in future. Nationwide population aging threatening sustainable health care funding is contributing to the relevance of generic policy success. Serious long-term challenge to the modest Japanese generic manufacturing capacities will be posed by foreign pharmaceutical industries particularly the ones based in emerging BRIC economies.

Macroeconomic Policy Impact On Oncology-Related Public Expenditure In An Emerging European Market – Signs Of Early Recovery

“…During that same decade, public consumption of mAbs increased nearly 20 times due to the aforementioned societal and market changes (12). Although it is favourable that many patients had access to these innovative medicines, the cost-effectiveness of many mAbs is a source of heated international debate (34,35). The societal affordability of expensive biologicals and willingness to pay thresholds are rather low in Eastern Europe compared to the West (13,15).…”

The aging of Europe. The unexplored potential

“…These goals even in wealthiest among European societies were partially accomplished by means of extended insurance coverage [21], provision of community support [22], spreading the network of nursing staff offering home care services [23] and higher reimbursement of medicines [24] in this age group. Generic replacement of brand name drugs proved to be effective tool substantially decreasing the outpatient costs and affordability of pharmaceuticals to the elderly [25]. Among the most promising investments are current European Commission-Japan Horizon 2020 calls for funding of robotic technology research tailored for the home assistance to the elderly and disabled persons [26].…”

The key role of the leading emerging BRIC markets in the future of global health care

“…The rare exception to the market trends described above is that the pharmaceutical markets in the US and Japan are likely to remain the first-and second-largest pharmaceutical markets in the world, respectively, for many years to come, particularly if market value is measured based on sales of branded drugs (22). However, this prime example of an old market-hierarchy resistant to change is already being gradually eroded by the aggressive marketing of generic drug manufacturers based primarily in India.…”

“…Therefore, poor countries were the first target markets for inexpensive generic drugs coming from India and, to a lesser extent, from China. The powerful Indian generic drug manufacturing sector is globally competitive and has, thus far, adapted to over 200 different national markets across the globe, including the highly regulated drug markets of Japan and the major Western economies (22). If market value is measured based on sales of branded drugs, the dominance of prominent commercial companies remains undisputed.…”