Pharmacoeconomic evaluation in Japanese pharmaceutical companies

In Japan, since August 1992, materials derived from pharmacoeconomic evaluations have been accepted at the time of new drug price negotiation. Pharmaceutical companies generally consider the materials they submit to be private information. Moreover, it is unclear haw the government uses these materials in its policy decisions. In this paper, for the purpose of understanding the present status of pharmacoeconomic evaluation in Japanese pharmaceutical companies, the results from an investigative interview of selected employees at 22 pharmaceutical firms are outlined. An analysis of haw the submitted economic data are reflected in drug prices is provided. This analysis clarifies that in recent years pharmacoeconomic evaluations have been submitted for most new pharmaceutical products. A clear connection between the submitted economic materials and the issuing of premiums to innovative or useful products, however, was not found. It is concluded that there is an urgent need to construct a system in which the results of pharmacoeconomic evaluation can be appropriately used in government pricing decisions.