HGPI and National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) jointly convened the Expert Meeting “The Future of Healthcare in Japan and Cost-Effectiveness Assessment”.

Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is gaining prominence around the world as a means of appropriately assessing medical treatments. In Japan, since 2012 there have been many discussions held on the introduction of HTA, particularly at the Committee for Cost-Effectiveness Assessment within the Central Social Insurance Medical Council (Chuikyo). A trial introduction of Cost-Effectiveness Assessment was started in FY2016, and the issues and lessons that emerged through this trial introduction were reviewed in FY2017. In FY2018, the issues and lessons that emerged through the trial introduction have been discussed, while many other reviews have also been conducted with the aim of realizing the full-scale introduction of this unique endeavor by Japan to adjust the prices of pharmaceuticals and medical devices based on the results of Cost-Effectiveness Assessment.

Since 2016, the Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI) has organized expert meetings and exchanges of opinions based on the theme “Rebalancing Healthcare Systems: Innovation and Sustainability.” In 2018, HGPI helped to deepen discussions by organizing five consecutive meetings. 

At this meeting, leading experts from Japan and abroad discussed the issues identified so far and various stakeholders considered the respective roles that they should play, as well as the possible pathways toward resolving the issues. 

*For past activities, please refer to the “Summary of Discussions in Past HGPI Meetings for the “Rebalancing Healthcare Systems: Innovation and Sustainability” Series (attached below).

 

■Overview

Opening (Explanation of the objectives of the meeting)

• Matt McEnany (Manager, Health and Global Policy Institute)

Opening Remarks

• Kiyoshi Kurokawa (Chairman, Health and Global Policy Institute)

Keynote Address 1 “Current Issues and the Future Outlook for the Sustainability of the Japanese Healthcare System”

• Hiroshi Nakamura (Professor, Graduate School of Business Administration, Keio University/ Public Member, Central Social Insurance Medical Council (Chuikyo)/ Chairperson, Chuikyo Special Committee on Drug Prices/ Acting Chairperson, Chuikyo Committee for Cost-Effectiveness Assessment)

Keynote Address 2 “Shifts to this Point and the Future Direction for Discussion Around Cost Effectiveness Assessments in Japan”

• Shigekazu Komoto (Counselor for Policy Planning, Coordination, Health Insurance Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW))

Panel Discussion: “Issues and Future of Cost-Effectiveness Assessment – Toward a Unique Endeavor by Japan”

Panelists:

• Isao Kamae (Project Professor, Graduate School of Public Policy, The University of Tokyo)
• Hideo Kunitoh (Division of Chemotherapy, Department of Internal Medicine, Japanese Red Cross Medical Center)
• Shigekazu Komoto (Counselor for Policy Planning, Coordination, Health Insurance Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW))
• Naomi Sakurai (President, Cancer Solutions Co., Ltd.)
• Chris Hourigan (Vice Chair, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA))

Moderator:

• Joji Sugawara (Associate, Health and Global Policy Institute)

Closing Remarks

• Keizo Takemi (Member of the House of Councillors)

(No particular order, titles omitted)
(Photographed by: Kazunori Izawa)