The 77 ingredients requiring additional patient copayments are contained in approximately 1,100 items such as the pain reliever Loxonin, the antiallergic drug Allegra used for conditions like hay fever, the skin moisturizer Hirudoid Gel, the expectorant Mucodyne, the laxative Magmitt, the nasal inflammation medication Alesion, the gargle solution Isodine and medicated patches.
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Additional fees will be charged starting March 2027.
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260109/p2a/00m/0op/016000c
5 Comments
So is my health insurance going to be reduced? Probably not. So where is the “reduction” for me?
I think I’ll just end up feeling the “increase”.
Great! Make healthcare less affordable for an already struggling society! Great move! Raise the approval rating! Life’s getting harder again, just like the people love it! Have you even lived if your life isn’t constant gaman?Â
One of my doctors told me about the Hirudoid thing. At one point it was the most prescribed medication in Japan. It’s a high-quality skin lotion.
Any idea how much they are going up by? Is there a list of the 77 drugs?
Japan’s health insurance system wasn’t built for unlimited clinic visits for minor problems, but that’s how it’s often used. With an aging population driving costs up, the government is trying to reduce unnecessary medical use without dismantling the system.
Extra charges for OTC-like drugs are the pressure valve, making people think twice about clinic visits for things they could safely manage themselves. They’re hoping old folks will just go to Matsukiyo now.