BIO Joins Coalition Cautioning Against Further Restructuring of Japan’s Pharmaceutical Pricing Structure

Washington, D.C. (July 29, 2015) – Today BIO joined a coalition of organizations urging the Government of Japan to maintain the established reimbursement pricing structure for pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

While the Abe Administration continues to take impressive steps to promote the domestic and foreign innovative healthcare industry in Japan over the past several years, its proposal to change the schedule for reimbursement pricing to an annual system poses a danger to investment and innovation across the entire healthcare spectrum.  Such a change would impede innovation and delay access by Japanese patients to lifesaving and enhancing healthcare innovation.

The current biennial repricing system has effectively controlled costs for over two decades and provided Japanese patients with early access to the newest and most innovative medical technologies being developed around the world.  This proposal would counter Prime Minister Abe’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the Japanese economy and promote a vibrant healthcare industry.

BIO shares this position with our coalition partners: the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ), the European Business Council (EBC), the American Medical Devices and Diagnostics Manufacturers’ Association (AMDD), the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed), the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA).

For More Information, Read the Joint Statement

Upcoming BIO Events 

BIO Latin America Conference
October 14-16, 2015
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

BIO Investor Forum
October 20-21, 2015
San Francisco, CA

BIO-Europe
November 2-4, 2015
Munich, Germany

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