Japan risks losing out without drug pricing reform, warns AstraZeneca CEO

Pascal Soriot sees opportunity to invest in more research and development and manufacturing in the country

AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot says drugmakers could delay or skip launches in Japan to avoid setting lower prices in the U.S. (Photo by Yuki Kohara) 

TOKYO -- The chief executive of pharma giant AstraZeneca has urged Japan to set drug prices at levels of at least 60% of those in the U.S. amid drugmakers' concerns that the country's low prices could lead to demands for similar pricing in its biggest market.