Japan’s MHLW Publishes New Quality Standards for Quasi-Drugs

On October 2022, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) has published new quality standards and specifications of 2,647 ingredients and additives that can used in Quasi-drugs.
REGISTRATION OF DRUG MASTER FILE (DMF) IN JAPAN

In Japan, the Drug Master File (DMF) is called “Master File” or “MF”. The Purpose of DMF is to protect the “know-how” of API manufacturing methods against the marketing authorization applicant (MAA) / holder (MAH) of pharmaceutical products. The foreign manufacturers of APIs can apply for DMF registration.
Japan’s PMDA implements Surprise GMP inspections at manufacturing facilities

On July 2021, Regulators in Japan announced they will start conducting inspections by surprise at facilities where drugs, pharmaceuticals and medical devices products are manufactured
Japan’s PMDA Remote Inspections

The PMDA clarifies its requirements for conducting remote compliance inspections related to drugs and regenerative medical products.
Japan’s MHLW Allows Online IRB Meetings for Coronavirus Trials

Japan’s MHLW issued on April 1, allowing institutional review board (IRB) meetings to be held online or via emails when urgent deliberations are needed to decide whether to approve clinical trials for COVID-19.
HOW TO FILE A DMF FOR AN API IN JAPAN

GRP- blog explains the PMDA’s DFM application process and lists the necessary content needed for API submission to the PMDA.
Antimicrobial Drugs Clinical Study Regulations Harmonization

The FDA, EMA and PMDA aim at bringing harmonization in regulations related to clinical studies conducted for novel antimicrobial drugs (antibacterial and antifungal) across USA, Europe and Japan.
Japan cutting prices of new drugs and off-patent drugs

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is proposing a considerable cut down in the pricing of both off-patent drugs and expensive innovative treatments, and also set up an annual review of the drug prices.