Editorial

17:01 JST, July 28, 2025

If groundbreaking new drugs are available overseas but cannot be used in Japan, it puts many patients at a disadvantage. This situation must be changed immediately.

Cases referred to as “drug loss,” in which pharmaceuticals newly approved in other countries do not become available in Japan, are increasing.

For some time now, new drugs developed by overseas pharmaceutical companies have tended to face delays in being introduced to Japan, due to this country’s complicated application procedures for approval and additional clinical trials targeting Japanese patients. This problem has been dubbed “drug lag.”

The government’s efforts to proceed with measures, such as strengthening its review capabilities, have reduced delays. Instead of drug lag, however, there........

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