Japan’s most expensive drug, priced at 304.97 million yen, is covered by national health insurance

On February 13, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare decided to set the price (official price) of “Elevidys,” a gene therapy drug developed by Chugai Pharmaceuticals for rare diseases, at 304.97 million yen (approximately 13.79 million yuan), making it the most expensive drug in Japan. This drug targets patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a genetic mutation causing muscle necrosis and weakness, and can be treated with a single dose.

The decision was approved at a general meeting of the Central Social Insurance Medical Council (an advisory body to the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare). The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare expects to include it in national health insurance on February 20 and launch it on the same day. The target group is patients aged 3 to 7 who can walk. Testing will be conducted before administration to confirm the expected therapeutic effect.

The number of patients eligible in Japan is projected to be 37 in fiscal year 2026. In the future, treatment will be limited to newly diagnosed cases, with an estimated 20 patients per year. Through designated rare diseases and medical expense subsidies for children with chronic specific diseases, the out-of-pocket burden on patients will be minimal.