Home / Business and Economy / Japan to Add Extra Costs to Common Rx Drugs
Japan to Add Extra Costs to Common Rx Drugs
12 Jan
Summary
- 77 ingredients in prescription drugs will incur extra patient costs.
- Measure aims for fairness and to reduce insurance burden.
- Additional fees start March 2027; some groups exempt.
Starting March 2027, Japan plans to implement additional patient charges on around 1,100 prescription medications that contain 77 specific ingredients. These "OTC-like drugs" are similar in composition and effect to over-the-counter products but have been covered by public health insurance. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare announced this proposal to ensure fairness for individuals purchasing over-the-counter medicines and to lessen the financial strain on the working population through insurance premiums.
The new system will require patients to pay an additional "special fee" of 25% of the drug cost, on top of their usual 10% to 30% copayment, with public insurance covering the remaining 75%. This change is expected to increase costs for patients with a 30% copayment to approximately 1.6 times their current expense. The ministry estimates this measure will reduce national medical expenses by about 90 billion yen annually.
However, certain groups will be exempt from these special fees. These include children, individuals undergoing cancer treatment, patients with intractable diseases, and those managing chronic conditions that require special consideration. The implementation of these additional charges is slated for March 2027, following the formal establishment of the new fee structure.
