Market Dynamics
Japan is a country with an aging population, due to a decreasing birth rate and a long life expectancy, which has caused a shift in the eye care needs of the population. As a result, Japan has seen an increase in the prevalence of Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) in recent years. DES is an ocular disorder caused by a deficiency in the production of tears or the inability of tears to maintain proper lubrication of the ocular surface. It is one of the most common ocular disorders, that affects over 25 million people in Japan alone. There are many contributing factors to the condition such as environment, age, allergies, lifestyle, medications and contact lens use. Currently, there are limited treatment options available to help alleviate the symptoms of DES in Japan. These include the use of topical eye drops, artificial tears and anti-inflammatory medications. However, due to their limited effectiveness, there is a need for new and more effective therapies. To meet this demand, Japanese Pharma companies have started to shift their research and development towards the development of DES treatments.
Pharmaceutical companies, such as Allergan and Shionogi are currently leading the way in the development of novel treatments for dry eye syndrome in Japan. Allergan has recently launched its Restasis eye drop in Japan, while Shionogi is working on a novel sublingual immunotherapy for DES. These investments in research and development will undoubtedly help Japan advance their dry eye care treatment options. Furthermore, efforts are being made to make DES treatments more accessible to the Japanese population. Rabotan, a Japanese online pharmacy, is offering free prescription delivery throughout Japan, which should help to improve patient access to eye care products, including treatments for DES. Overall, the Japanese dry eye syndrome market is expected to experience significant growth in the coming years, thanks to the increased prevalence of the condition, ongoing research and development efforts and access to treatment. The Japanese market is likely to become a global leader in the development and treatment of dry eye syndrome in the coming years.
