EP-PharmaLine | The Strength of EP-PharmaLine in Adapting to Japan's Unique Medical Industry
Pharma Tech Outlook

This article is part of PharmaTech Out Look's Innovation Insights series featuring expert contributions nominated by our subscribers and reviewed by our editorial team.

Yutaka Ise, EP-PharmaLine | Pharma Tech Outlook | Top Pharma Consulting Companies in Japan

The Strength of EP-PharmaLine in Adapting to Japan's Unique Medical Industry

Yutaka Ise, President & Representative Director , EP-PharmaLine

Japan Entry Architect

Editor’s Note: Success in specialized healthcare markets now depends on operational alignment with local industry realities rather than simply extending global playbooks. This analysis illustrates why market-specific execution capabilities have become essential for life sciences leaders seeking durable growth across complex regulatory and commercial environments.

In Japan, in addition to cultural characteristics such as "hospitality and importance of manners", it is always necessary to keep in mind the frequent occurrence of earthquakes. There are also unique industry cultures and regulations such as "the extent of authority given to doctors", "the relationship between pharmaceutical companies and wholesalers", and "the pharmaceutical affairs law, Guidelines for Activities to Provide Sales Information on Ethical Drugs". To deliver appropriate medical care to the medical field, it is not only necessary to have medical expertise, but also to understand these unique aspects of Japan and provide services based on that understanding. We are confident that with its wealth of experience in Japan, EP-PharmaLine, an outsourcer in the healthcare industry such as pharmaceuticals and medical devices, can realize the creation of business value for its clients.

  • In Japan, hospitality is key to personalized medicine. EP-PharmaLine delivers expertise with empathy, winning awards for its call center services. We also provide innovative solutions like EP-Judge® for distribution & ES Navigation® for remote detailing.

As of 2023, our clients of pharmaceutical company (Japanese subsidiary) include 19 of the top 20 global sales and all 20 of the top Japanese domestic sales. This implies that we have almost all transaction records with major pharmaceutical companies. We will introduce some of the reasons why EP-PharmaLine is supported by clients and some of the initiatives we are undertaking.

*Introduction of EP-PharmaLine (https://www.pharmatechoutlook.com/ep-pharmaline)

Firstly, "hospitality" is important in realizing personalized medicine in Japan. It is not just responding to what is heard from healthcare professionals and patients, but understanding the background of the question and quickly leading to the answer that corresponds to the essential needs. This requires not only specialized knowledge to solve problems, but also listening skills and empathy. Without daily studies, it is impossible to equip and respond to all of these. EP-PharmaLine maintains a high level of customer satisfaction by developing human resources who are the core of this call center response. Specifically, we are implementing unique human resource development programs and in-house certification specifically for medical communicators. These initiatives have been highly evaluated at the Call Center Awards, which many call center companies from various industries gather, and we have won multiple awards.
*Award history details (https://www.eppharmaline.co.jp/en/com_award.php)

In addition, as mentioned earlier, our BCP is well-prepared to cover the frequent earthquakes in Japan. For example, the building where the call center is located is equipped with its own generator, which allows it to operate for a certain period even in the event of a power outage. Furthermore, it is possible to work from home as needed and operate at different locations. Our call centers are in several major cities in Japan, including Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka.

Next, we are proud to introduce our distinctive products. The distribution of ethical drugs in Japan is mostly done through pharmaceutical wholesalers. Therefore, to smoothly deliver medical care to patients, it is also important to cooperate with pharmaceutical companies and wholesalers. In Japan, there are drugs that are subject to distribution conditions imposed by the authorities for several years after their release.

"EP-Judge®" is a system developed by EP-PharmaLine that allows you to directly input necessary conditions such as the names of drugs with distribution conditions on the web, the names of facilities expected to be delivered, etc., and automatically determine and confirm whether it can be delivered. Up until now, even though there are many stakeholders to share information about distribution management, everything was done by analogue (human) methods and there were various issues. By replacing it with EP-Judge, the time from order to delivery can be reduced by 50-80%, and the cost of human resources can be reduced with the reduction of labor hours. It can also be operated from home as a BCP, and even in the event of a disaster, a stable supply of drugs can be realized. Currently, about 96% of wholesalers who are members of the Japan Pharmaceutical Wholesalers Association have introduced this system, and we believe that this system will become the standard in the industry, creating value for the entire pharmaceutical industry and patients waiting for medicines.

We also have a remote detailing service called ES Navigation®, which provides information about medicines in coordination with Suzuken MS (Marketing specialist at Suzuken, a leading pharmaceutical wholesaler in Japan), for regions and medical institutions that are difficult for MRs to access. This is a unique service that combines the mobility of MS, who enters and leaves medical institutions every day to deliver medicines, and the expertise of EP-PharmaLine. We have a track record of successful implementations in over 10 pharmaceutical companies so far and have contributed to the increase in product sales.

At EP-PharmaLine, we can accept all post-manufacturing sales services. Entrusting everything to us, like EPPV, PMS, creation of promotional materials, call center, remote detailing, regulation review etc., can lead to a reduction in load and efficiency when outsourcing operations from pharmaceutical companies.

Moreover, the EPS Group, to which EP-PharmaLine belongs, also has functions such as CRO and SMO, enabling us to handle everything from pharmaceutical research and development to post-marketing within the group.

As a professional vendor in Japanese healthcare sector with a full understanding of the pharmaceutical industry, we can make unique proposals.

Based on these extensive achievements, experiences, and distinctive initiatives, we are committed to maximizing the activities of pharmaceutical companies and medical device companies in Japan, meeting the needs of global companies, and contributing to the advancement of healthcare in Japan.

MORE FROM INNOVATION INSIGHTS

Innovation Management in the healthcare and Pharmaceutical Industry
2021 Predictions Pharma Effluent Treatment
WEHRLE-WERK
Mr. Robert Körner, Head of Division Marketing & Strategic Sales

2021 Predictions Pharma Effluent Treatment

INMUNOTEKs prediction for immunotherapies in 2021 and beyond in the era of mass vaccinations
Fallback to business as usual or the seed for a new mindset and actual change?
TriTiCon
Anders Mortin. Co-Founder and eClinical Expert

Fallback to business as usual or the seed for a new mindset and actual change?

EXPLORE OUR KNOWLEDGE NETWORK

View Innovation InsightsRead Leadership Perspectives

The articles from these contributors are based on their personal expertise and viewpoints, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of their employers or affiliated organizations.