Daiichi Sankyo Healthcare announced Thursday it will raise prices on 19 product items, including topical Loxonin and gastrointestinal medicines [1, 2].
The price adjustments reflect the ongoing struggle of pharmaceutical companies to absorb rising operational costs in Japan. As essential over-the-counter medications become more expensive, consumers face higher out-of-pocket costs for basic healthcare maintenance.
The company said the price increases will range from five% to approximately 40% [2]. Affected products include Loxonin topical applications, Daiichi Sankyo gastrointestinal medicine plus, and Minon moisturizing milk [1, 2]. These changes will apply to shipments starting next month in June [1, 2].
This marks the fifth time the company has revised its pricing [1]. The company said the decision was driven by the prolonged increase in costs for raw materials and logistics [1, 2].
While global geopolitical tensions often influence market prices, the company said that the current situation in the Middle East has not affected this specific pricing decision [1, 2].
Based in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, the company is adjusting its strategy to maintain product availability amidst these economic pressures [2]. The company said it did not provide a specific breakdown of which individual products will see the maximum 40% increase [2].
“Price increases will range from 5% to approximately 40%.”
This move signals a continuing trend in the Japanese pharmaceutical market where companies are shifting the burden of inflation and supply chain volatility to the consumer. By specifying that Middle East tensions are not a factor, Daiichi Sankyo Healthcare is framing this as a structural cost issue rather than a temporary geopolitical shock, suggesting that price stability for these legacy brands may not return in the short term.
