Japan drug price reforms risk hurting investment: Bristol-Myers CEO

But those changes are not science-based and favor large domestic drugmakers over foreign and smaller players, Giovanni Caforio told a news conference in Tokyo.

Nit surprised. Nothing new.

I once knew a Pharma Sales Head of a major local company.... they argued that Japanese have different bodies to the rest of the Human species and that's why there's so many restrictions upon Foreign pharma products entering the Country...

Given the increased introduction of Foreign workforce persons, that argument would seem to be a bit weak nowadays.... but then this is Japan...

@mmekdw

So true. I have heard the same.

Ad, body temperature is also different, that is why... (insert irrelevant information here).

I am surprised that I was able inter-breed into this other species at all.

That being said, I am also shocked by the amount of prescribed medication over here, and for the smalled sniffle. Of the various doctors that I have talked to, most prescribed medication is in the request of the patient. Either it is not needed yet demanded, or it is cheaper than the same at the pharmacy.

 I won't be surprised if many pharma go bankrupt soon. 

I find that hard to believe. Bankruptcy that won't happen.

Are pharmas not making a profit?

They wouldn't risk diverting medicines away from Japan. While Japan is a small market, it is still one if the largest consumers of medication. So they are trying to optimize their bottom line. They wouldn't abandon that much money.

Just as long as drug prices are as low as possible for the average person, is what's most important.