{
  "id": 7938294,
  "title": "Some patients to be exempted from additional drug payments",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/some-patients-to-be-exempted-from-additional-drug-payments",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-17T03:14:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Japan Times",
    "slug": "japan-times",
    "url": "https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/09/17/japan/science-health/japan-drug-payment-increase-exemption/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Japanese government plans to exempt certain patients from extra costs associated with prescription drugs that are similar to over-the-counter medicines, according to a draft guideline presented by the health ministry. The new system, set to commence in March, aims to alleviate financial burdens for individuals with specific health conditions.\n\nPatients suffering from rare diseases and those undergoing extended treatment will be among the exempted group. This includes individuals using moisturizers and steroid ointments over a prolonged period to prevent the recurrence of atopic dermatitis, a common skin condition. Cancer patients and those with designated intractable diseases will also not be required to pay additional amounts for their prescribed medications.\n\nUnder the proposed system, patients will be responsible for covering 25% of the cost of drugs that can be substituted with over-the-counter alternatives. The remaining 75% of the drug price will be covered by the public health insurance system, with the patient's share ranging from 10% to 30%, depending on the specific medication.",
  "summary": "Patients with rare diseases and those undergoing prolonged treatment will be exempt from additional payments for certain prescription drugs. These exemptions apply to drugs similar to over-the-counter medicines, according to the Japan Times and Nippon.com News.\n\nThe new system, set to start next March, will generally require patients to pay 25% of the price of these drugs, plus 10-30% of the remaining 75%, which is covered by public health insurance.\n\nPatients with cancers and certain intractable diseases will also be exempt from additional payments for drugs related to their conditions, as will those using long-term treatments such as moisturizers and steroid ointments for atopic dermatitis, as reported by Nippon.com News.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}