Japan pharma market review

Gross domestic product (GDP) in Japan is about $5 trillion, and the country’s pharmaceutical market is one of the largest in the world, with figures from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) indicating a market value of about $95 billion, including non-prescription medications.

Analysts expect the country’s market for drugs will continue to grow, driven by a range of factors, including a 10% increase in demand for solid dose formulations, as well as strong growth in generics.

The Japanese government is  particularly supportive of the copycat sector, with efforts to control prices leading to a target that 80% of the market for pharmaceuticals should be represented by generic drugs by the end of 2020.