Japan Pharma: Expectations for 2013, by P Reed Maurer

The biggest non-event in the Japan health care market during 2013 will be no reimbursement price reductions, comments P Reed Maurer, long-time Japanese pharma industry watcher and president of International Alliances Limited (IAL). In fact, the next price revisions will not occur until April 2014.

For many, this one factor greatly reduces the level of uncertainty about the near term future. But complacency in this large dynamic market is a threat to competitive position. Standing still is an illusion, falling back is the reality, says Mr Maurer.

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