Japan Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals "Monthly Pharma Pulse: Domestic Rx..."

Research evidence excerpt

Japan Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals "Monthly Pharma Pulse: Domestic Rx..."

Global Research

18 May 2026ab

Japan Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals Equities

JapanMonthly Pharma Pulse: Domestic Rx market

Pharmaceuticals

Atsushi Seki

The prescription pharmaceutical market in April 2026 rose +5.5% YoY (business- Analyst

day neutral) atsushi.seki@ubs.com

We report Japan market data using IQVIA MIDAS, a revenue database for the Japanese +65 6495 6860

prescription market. According to the data, the April market increased +5.5%. Mark Yokoyama

Oncology and diabetes drugs drove the market, resulting in a strong performance. Analyst

mark.yokoyama@ubs.com

Daiichi Sankyo continues to perform well +81-3-5208 6265

On a company-by-company basis for April 2026 (based on Corporation, which may

differ from company-reporting revenue), Daiichi Sankyo continued to maintain the top

position in absolute terms. Shionogi rose +11.1% (transfer of Radicava), Kyowa Kirin fell

-6.9% (G-lasta and Romiplate), Daiichi Sankyo rose +3.7%, Astellas increased +5.2%,

Eisai grew +5.2%, and Ono gained +1.6%. Among foreign companies, Lilly increased

+50.9% in January-April 2026 due to the Mounjaro effect.

Share trends by therapeutic area

In the PD-1/-L1 market, Keytruda continued to expand its share. In the SGLT2 market,

competitive pressure from generic Forxiga remained severe, while Jardiance expanded

its share. In the Alzheimer’s disease market, the shares of Eisai and Lilly continued to

converge. In the hemophilia A market, Hemlibra’s share remained stable. In the

anticoagulant market, Lixiana expanded its share. In the schizophrenia market, Rexulti

significantly expanded its share. In the insomnia market, Dayvigo accounted for more

than half of the market and has become stable.