Pharma firm chair raises alarm over Middle East war impact

April 17 , 2026

Komeito policy czar Akino also spoke at the hearingKomeito policy czar Akino also spoke at the hearing

On April 16, Meiji Seika Pharma Co., Ltd. Chair Daikichiro Kobayashi spoke at a hearing held by the House of Councillors Committee on Health and Labor on the supply chain impact of the war in the Middle East for domestic pharmaceutical manufacturers. Komeito recommended him to share his views.

At the hearing, Mr. Kobayashi said petroleum-derived naptha was essential to the production of pharmaceuticals and called on the government to prioritize the securing of its supply. In his oral statement and his answers to queries from Kozo Akino, who chairs Komeito’s Policy Research Council, the Meiji Seika executive raised three major concerns in the event of a prolonged naptha shortfall: first, that active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) that are central to making therapeutic drugs could not be synthesized; second, the production of chemical solvents and reagents would halt; and third, it would become increasingly difficult to ship intravenous (IV) packs and other packaging materials to medical institutions.

He also said that while his firm has begun increasing its stockpile of key raw materials to produce drugs, deliveries are being pushed back and costs have risen by some 30%. Mr. Kobayashi therefore urged the government to take measures to address these issues, including making revisions to the national regulations on drug pricing to offset the cost increase.