Big pharma to target Japanese women
International pharmaceutical companies are increasing their efforts to market drugs in Japan designed specifically for women.
International pharmaceutical companies are increasing their efforts to market drugs in Japan designed specifically for women.
Domestic demand for medication to treat osteoporosis and breast cancer is expected to grow as the number of menopausal women suffering from the diseases increases, while interest among doctors and patients in gender-specific medicine is also rising.
Eli Lilly Japan has already obtained approval to market an osteoporosis drug that offers a lower breast cancer risk than existing products. The company plans to begin sales this May jointly with Chugai Pharmaceutical. Another US affiliate, Pfizer Japan, has developed a major drug effective in treating multiple health disorders, including osteoporosis and hyperlipidemia, common among middle-aged and older women. The firm expects the drug to be available commercially in 2007.
Nihon Schering plans to seek approval from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare within three years, to market a cancer drug that is much more effective against breast cancer than existing medications. The company is also developing a product for menopausal disorders, and has also applied to the ministry for permission to sell an intra-uterine birth control system combining special equipment and a medication.
Nihon Schering earned 60% of its ¥65.5bn in sales last year from diagnostic medicines, with drugs for women accounting for less than 10%. The company plans to raise the proportion of women's drugs in its sales to around one-third and boost overall sales to ¥100bn by 2010.