Japan Passes Bill Raising Co-Payments for Select Prescription Drugs

Japan's Upper House passed legislation on Friday that will raise co-payments for certain prescription medicines starting in March 2027. The measure targets about 1,100 drugs whose ingredients and effects are similar to over-the-counter products. The bill reforms the national healthcare insurance system and aims to limit future increases in insurance premiums paid by the working population.

It passed by majority vote during the chamber's plenary session.

The legislation also places all costs associated with childbirth under public health insurance. Standard deliveries are currently excluded from coverage. Women who give birth now receive a one-time allowance of ¥500,000 ($3,130) per child. The bill states that actual hospital delivery costs vary, and the fixed payment is often insufficient to cover expenses.

The health ministry plans to implement the higher co-payments for the identified medicines in March 2027.