Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Tamura and Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Aso have discussed the price of medicines set by the government, and while the items to be reduced in the next fiscal year's revision will be about 70% of the total, the impact of the spread of the new coronavirus infection. In consideration of the above, it was agreed that the amount of reduction would be relaxed to some extent.
Regarding the drug price set by the government, it will be revised every year from next year in order to reduce medical expenses, and on the 17th, Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Tamura and Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Aso discussed.
As a result, it was agreed that out of the approximately 18,000 drug items, the target for price reduction would be approximately 70%, which has a difference of 5% or more from the market price.
On the other hand, the range of reduction will be reduced by 0.8% in consideration of the impact of the spread of the new coronavirus.
In this case, the effect of curbing medical expenses will be about 430 billion yen annually.
In addition, regarding the nursing care fee that will be revised in April next year, 0.05% will be added as a provisional measure until convergence as a cost for measures against the new coronavirus, and the total will be a positive revision of 0.7%. I did.
At a press conference, Minister Tamura said, "While lowering the price of medicines is meaningful in terms of reducing the burden on patients, we have taken mitigation measures due to the impact of the corona sickness. I want to respond so that I can sustain it. "