Industry Monthly
October 2026 Industry Monthly
A monthly digest of policy, market, and technology developments across the pharmaceutical industry, based on public sources.
Policy & Pricing
11 New Drug Ingredients Slated for NHI Price Listing on October 14, 2026; Listing Taken Up at Chuikyo General Meeting
At its 659th general meeting on October 7, 2026, the Central Social Insurance Medical Council (Chuikyo) took up new drug price listings as an agenda item. AnswersNews reported the same day that 11 new drugs (apparently counted by ingredient, so the number of listed products may differ), including Ozeyful, Brinspri and Hibsargo, were scheduled to be listed on October 14. Prices and indications for individual products are not covered here because they could not be confirmed.
Source: MHLW (agenda of the 659th Chuikyo general meeting) / AnswersNews (headline only). AnswersNews is a secondary source; the full text was not reviewedExpert's View
Listing is the point at which a new treatment becomes available under public health insurance. There can, however, be a lag before a drug is actually prescribed and dispensed at local clinics and pharmacies. Whether a particular drug applies to your condition is best confirmed with your physician or pharmacist.
High-Cost Claims Rose 25% in FY2025, Driven by Moderately Expensive, Continuously Administered Drugs
On October 6, AnswersNews reported that high-cost claims in FY2025 rose 25% from the previous year. According to the headline and index, the increase was driven by moderately expensive drugs administered continuously; Ultomiris and Hemlibra were among the top drugs by spending, and the impact of ultra-high-cost drugs was described as limited. The compiling body, the threshold for high-cost claims, the period definition, and absolute figures could not be confirmed, so this should not be read as a nationwide figure.
Source: Headline and index of an AnswersNews article, confirmed via a shared post (October 6, 2026)Expert's View
As costlier drugs increase, the question is how to keep insurance finances sustainable while letting those who need treatment continue it. Patient out-of-pocket costs are capped under systems such as the high-cost medical expense benefit, but the debate over revising such systems is likely to continue, so people on long-term treatment may want to check how their own cost cap works.
* This report is edited by Yap Inc. based on publicly available sources. “Expert’s View” reflects the perspective of CEO Masaya Yamamoto (a NewsPicks Expert). Please refer to the original source for details on each item.
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