1. In Vivo
  2. >>Global Vision

Japanese Efficiency?

Just how inefficient is the US health care system? Not at all, compared to Japan. A comparison between the two countries underscores less one system’s strength or weakness than fundamental differences between the two: Japan’s is a system in which drug treatment is far preferred to surgical intervention.

Just how inefficient is the US health care system? Not at all, compared to Japan. Perhaps that’s parochial. A comparison between the two countries underscores less one system’s strength or weakness than fundamental differences between the two: with just under half the population of the US, Japan does less than one-sixth the number of surgeries, suggesting a system in which drug treatment is far preferred to surgical intervention.

That’s a bonanza for companies that sell drugs, thus Japan has nearly four times the number of drug manufacturers and three times the number of wholesalers as the US.

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on In Vivo for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required
Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

More from Global Vision

UK Bets On Regulatory Innovation As Competitive Advantage In Synthetic Biology

 
• By David Wild

The UK government has prioritized synthetic biology and created a "concierge service" for biotechs just as the US cuts science funding.

Chinese Firms Build Obesity Clinical Pipeline But Face Wider Hurdles

 
• By Xu Hu

Despite the ability to initiate clinical trials quickly and having strong manufacturing capacity, Chinese companies are facing multiple challenges in the obesity space.

Unpacking The Impact Of Trump’s Tariffs On Drug Pricing And Production

 
• By Ed Silverman

Big pharma plans to invest billions of dollars in US manufacturing to avoid tariffs proposed by the Trump Administration. However, the implementation of these plans may be delayed due to regulatory complexities and rising costs from tariffs, potentially impacting drug prices for consumers.

Barcelona’s S2 Xpeed Accelerates Hardware-Based Medtech Start-Ups From Prototype To Market

 
• By Marion Webb

S2 Xpeed is driving the rapid growth of medtech and hardware start-ups in Europe. Operating under a "sweat equity" model, the program helps early-stage companies move from prototype to manufacturing readiness in exchange for equity.

More from In Vivo

The 360 Degrees Of European Biotech Financing In 2025

 
• By Jo Shorthouse

Almost halfway through 2025, and financing for European biotech could be described as challenging. Market volatility, geopolitical instability and trade barriers all loom large in biotech CEO minds when pitching for funding. In Vivo talked to biotechs and investors to gain a realistic view of the current market for company funding so far this year.

Rising Leaders 2025: Pedro Valencia’s ADC Vision At AbbVie

 
• By Jo Shorthouse

From chemical engineering to cancer innovation, AbbVie's rising oncology leader is advancing next-generation ADCs to tackle difficult-to-treat tumors with a patient-centered approach.

Leaders At The Frontier: Conversations From SynBioBeta 2025

 
• By David Wild

Mini-profiles of five synthetic biology companies and their leaders from SynBioBeta 2025 reveal how AI integration, data-driven platforms and interdisciplinary teams are revolutionizing drug discovery and manufacturing.