Ensuring Stable Supply of Pharmaceuticals: Government Strategies and Challenges

On September 18, 2025, the Japan Planning Institute (JPI) will host a seminar featuring Daisuke Fujii, the Director of the Pharmaceutical Industry and Venture Support Policy Office at the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. This event will delve into the pressing issue of pharmaceutical supply stability and the ongoing administrative efforts to address current challenges in the industry.

The seminar will address the critical topic of generics, emphasizing that the uncertainty surrounding the current supply of pharmaceuticals has roots in the inefficient manufacturing practices of the generic drug industry, characterized by the production of small batches of various products. Factors such as violations of the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act, which have led to reduced supply by pharmaceutical companies, compounded by outbreaks of infectious diseases, have intensified these supply challenges.

To tackle these issues, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is focusing on two main fronts: addressing the immediate supply uncertainty and developing long-term solutions. In recent efforts, the ministry has encouraged pharmaceutical companies to increase production and has provided subsidies to improve production systems. Concurrently, there has been a push for structural reforms within the generic drug sector to better prepare for ongoing and future challenges.

During the seminar, attendees will gain insight into several key areas:
1. Current Status of Pharmaceutical Supply: A comprehensive understanding of the present circumstances affecting supply stability.
2. Responses to Immediate Supply Uncertainties: An overview of actions being taken to rectify current disruptions.
3. Structural Reforms in the Generic Industry: Discussion of necessary changes in the industry’s framework to enhance efficiency and reliability.
4. Strengthening the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain: Strategies for creating a more resilient supply chain.
5. Generics and Biosimilars: Examination of the role these products play in the broader pharmaceutical landscape.
6. Q&A Session: An interactive segment where attendees can address specific queries to the speaker.
7. Networking Session: A valuable opportunity for participants to network and exchange business cards, fostering connections that can lead to future collaborations.

Participants can choose how to attend the seminar: in-person, via live streaming, or through an archived recording that will be available for two weeks post-event. The registration fee is ¥37,350 (tax inclusive), with a special offer where one additional participant can attend free of charge, given they register together. For local government employees, registration is capped at ¥11,000 (tax inclusive) for two attendees, though this option is limited to those attending in person or via live stream.

Post-seminar, we will also facilitate additional inquiries to the speaker and help participants establish networks with both the lecturer and fellow attendees, enhancing opportunities for knowledge sharing and collaboration. This seminar promises to be a pivotal moment for stakeholders in the pharmaceutical community, aiming at the stability and efficiency necessary for effective healthcare delivery.

For more details and to register, please visit JPI Seminar Registration.

Contact Information:
Japan Planning Institute
5-2-32 Minamiazabu, Minato City, Tokyo 106-0047
Phone: 03-5793-9761
Fax: 03-5793-9767
Website: JPI Website

About Japan Planning Institute

For over fifty years, JPI has been committed to bridging the gaps among politics, bureaucracy, and the private sector by providing exclusive seminars that support senior executives with valuable insights into national policy and projects.