Serious Generic Drug Shortage Hits Japan amid Flu Spread

From Jiji

October 21 2023

TOKYO – A shortage of generic drugs is becoming serious in Japan amid the spread of influenza and the novel coronavirus, prompting the health ministry to make all-out efforts to sort out a structural issue haunting the industry.

Generic drugs account for about 80 pct of all drugs available in the country. The supply of generic drugs is characterized by many drugmakers producing a wide variety of medicines in small quantities.

In and after 2021, over 10 generic drugmakers, including Kobayashi Kako Co. and Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical Co., were ordered to suspend operations due to product quality problems, leading to supply instability, according to the ministry.

As a consequence, shipments of about 40 pct of the generic drugs had been suspended as of the end of August 2022.

The coronavirus pandemic and the spread of influenza worsened the situation, with medicines, including cough drugs and painkillers, in short supply as a whole.