Being the second largest market, the pharmaceutical industry in Japan continues to be a lure for the world pharma. Currently estimated at 7 trillion yen (CHF 80 billion), the prescription drug business represents nearly 13% of global market. Japanese drug industry is poised to grow steadily over the years due to volume growth triggered mainly by longevity and the resultant spurt in population of the aged.
Like any other major pharma market, the Japanese industry too is an admixture of foreign and domestic firms. Foreign affiliated companies account for more than one-third of the Japanese prescription market, of which European firms represent 20% (Swiss firms 8%), US firms 16% and Japanese firms 64%. Of the top 20 companies, seven are foreign-affiliated (five European and two American). The Swiss firms Chugai-Roche and Novartis are ranked 3 and 4, respectively.
Though the growth of the total market in general is rather slow, foreign-affiliated pharmaceutical firms are apparently achieving faster growth, outperforming the market and increasing their share through superior product pipelines and deregulation in Japan. According to available figures, from January to July 2004, the average sales growth of European-based firms (5.2%) and of American-based firms (2.9%) was remarkably higher than that of domestic companies (0.7%). Novartis and Chugai-Roche saw a significant sales growth of 9.8% and 9.0% by launching new, innovative products. Regarding government regulations, the pharmaceutical industry currently perceives no specific trade barriers between Japan and Switzerland, except for the issue of transfer pricing.
The new Japanese Pharmaceutical Affairs Law, aiming at strengthening of safety monitoring on medical devices, blood products and biotechnological products and at establishment of internationally standardized approval license system, was revised in July of 2002, and it has been implemented stepwise.
Following the revision of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law in Japan in July 2002, the current "manufacturing approval system" is in the process of getting replaced by the "sales approval system". The sales approval system will enable manufactures to virtually totally outsource production leading to an increasing number of pharmaceutical manufacturers seeking production alliances.
As Japan opens up its floodgates for global outsourcing, CPhI Japan/ ICSE Japan 2005-- the leading exhibition on pharmaceutical ingredients and allied industries -- which is scheduled to be held at Big Sight Exhibition Center, Tokyo on 20-22 of April, becomes more important.
Over the years, the CPHI Japan exhibition has been proved very successful in attracting large number of potential Japanese business partners. Last edition featured more than 400 exhibiting companies and over 13,000 visitors from around 30 countries.
As the exhibition cum conference expects to bring in nothing less than 15,000 visitor attendance this time, CPhI Japan 2005 promises to be a great business-meeting place for leading Japanese and international pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturers and traders.
CPhI Japan 2005 will feature pavilions from the Japan Bulk Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (JBPMA), Italy, China, USA, Korea, Germany, UK, Taiwan, TLO, CRO and a special focus pavilion on Database Services/IT.
In conjunction with the exhibition, a programme of Keynote Seminars, a Conference and Exhibitor Presentations will be held at the venue. Market information and trends, new products and research developments will be introduced in the seminars.
A special seminar is dedicated to the implementation of the new Pharmaceutical Affairs Law (PAL) and therefore of special interest to an international audience. In this seminar, a background and a process up to the final implementation will be introduced and new agency for approval review (PMDA) and approval license system also reviewed.
A programme of exhibitor presentation workshops will be held within the exhibition hall. At the presentation exhibiting companies will present papers introducing new products, the results of research and the announcement of new business developments.
Organised by CMP Japan Co Ltd, CPhI Japan 2005 is supported by: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare/Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; Japan Chemical Industry Association; The Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers' Associations of JAPAN; Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (JPMA)/Japan Bulk Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association; Ethical Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association; Japan Dyestuff and Industrial Chemical Association (JDICA); Japan Pharmaceutical Excipients Council (JPEC); The Society of Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Japan; Japan Bioindustry Association; Japan Biological Informatics Consortium (JBIC) Japan Chemical Importers' Association; Japan Chemical Exporters' Association and Japan Food Additives Association.