HTA In Japan: The Glass Remains Half Full (For Now)

By Simon Collier, BSc, MA

Since its permanent implementation in 2019, Japan's HTA system has charted a unique course. The Central Social Insurance Medical Council (Chuikyo) selects a small number of drugs for evaluation based on high projected sales or unit costs, exempting treatments for rare diseases. By mid-2024, only 50 products had undergone this year-long process.

The outcome isn't a yes/no coverage decision but a potential adjustment to the premium portion of a drug's price if its cost-effectiveness ratio exceeds a set threshold. For companies like Novo Nordisk and Lilly, this has meant manageable single-digit price cuts well after launch, a stark contrast to the reimbursement denials possible in other markets. To understand how this system could evolve with proposed 2026 reforms, read the full article.