Market Trends of Japan Pharmaceutical Industry
The Branded Drugs Sub-Segment is Expected to Hold a Significant Market Share Over the Forecast Period
The branded drugs sub-segment under the prescription drugs segment is expected to witness significant growth in the Japanese pharmaceutical market over the forecast period due to the rising prevalence of chronic diseases such as cancers, the increasing geriatric population, the growing demand for branded drugs, and increasing product launches in the country.
The high prevalence of chronic diseases such as cancers and cardiovascular diseases in Japan is boosting the demand for better pharmaceutical products. For instance, as per the Cancer Statistics in Japan 2024 report published in April 2024, the incidence of stomach cancer was 121,800 (2022: 132,100), lung cancer was 132,000 (2022: 128,200), colorectal cancer was 188,000 (2022: 183,800), and pancreatic cancer was 46,300 (2022: 44,500), in 2023. Thus, the high burden of cancers requires various new branded products for their treatment, thereby boosting the sub-segment's growth.
Several companies are focusing on developing pharmaceutical products and adopting various business strategies such as collaborations, partnerships, and product launches, thus contributing to the sub-segment’s growth. For instance, in June 2024, Maruho Co. Ltd, the domestic licensee of Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, launched Chugai’s Mitchga 30 mg (nemolizumab) vial for subcutaneous injection for the indications of diseases with ineffective existing treatments, including pruritus-associated with atopic dermatitis (children aged 6 to 13 years) and prurigo nodularis (adults and children aged 13 years and older).
Similarly, in March 2022, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) granted marketing authorization for Xenpozyme (lipase alfa) for treating adult and pediatric patients with non-central nervous system (non-CNS) manifestations of acid sphingomyelinase deficiency (ASMD). Therefore, owing to such developments, the branded drugs sub-segment is expected to hold a significant share in the Japanese pharmaceutical market over the forecast period.
The Respiratory System Segment is Expected to Hold a Significant Market Share Over the Forecast Period
The respiratory segment is expected to grow over the forecast period due to the increasing prevalence of respiratory diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive respiratory diseases, in the country. The geriatric population is more susceptible to developing respiratory diseases due to weak immunity, contributing to the market's growth. For instance, according to an article published by the National Library of Medicine in June 2023, severe asthma ranges between 2.4% and 12.7% among patients with asthma in Japan. Thus, the high burden of respiratory diseases among the population is anticipated to increase the demand for asthma and COPD drugs, propelling the market's growth.
The companies’ involvement in developing drugs and increasing drug approvals are expected to boost the market's growth. For instance, in June 2024, in Japan, GSK PLC secured new manufacturing and marketing approvals for the bronchial asthma treatment Relvar 50 Ellipta, specifically for pediatric use. Additionally, as per the same source, GSK received partial change approval for manufacturing and marketing Relvar 100 Ellipta for pediatric use.
In September 2022, the Japanese MHLW approved AstraZeneca's Tezspire (tezepelumab) for the treatment of bronchial asthma in patients with severe or refractory disease in whom asthma symptoms cannot be controlled with mid- or high-dose inhaled corticosteroids and other long-term maintenance therapies. Therefore, the rising prevalence of respiratory diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive respiratory diseases, and innovative strategies by key market players are expected to contribute to the market's growth over the forecast period.
