2024 Volume 14 Issue 3 Pages 323-328
The supply shortage of medical drugs, which has expanded since 2021, has not been resolved even after three years, and in addition to the problems of manufacturing and quality management deficiencies and corporate governance that triggered the issue, the impact of drug distribution, industrial structure, inflation, and supply chain challenges has also been pointed out, and the background and causes are becoming more complex. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) is taking measures to address current supply uncertainties by requesting increased production from pharmaceutical manufacturers and collecting and disclosing information related to supply conditions. Additionally, considering the structural issues in the generic drug industry that contribute to supply concerns, MHLW aims to encourage industry efforts while highlighting the desired state of the sector.
