28-Dec-15 Russia plans to allow drugstore chains to sell medicines via the Internet as of 1-Jan-17. "This type of selling the drugs will be accessible to all customers with access to the Internet and cover all the groups of medicines, except narcotics and psychotropic substances," the government press service said. [image: Retail & Loyalty]

28-Dec-15 Japan's government has approved a draft budget for 2016 including JPY82.5 bn for the Ministry of Health, Labor & Welfare (MHLW) to promote development of innovative new drugs and medical devices, based on the comprehensive strategy for strengthening the pharmaceutical industry announced in Sep-15. Among others, this budget will fund initiatives to promote the practical application of genomic medicine. [image: Tohoku University]

27-Dec-15 Japanese health monitor maker Omron Healthcare is looking at more than doubling its revenues in India to USD40 mn by 2018/19, on the back of sales network expansion. The company, which is expecting sales of USD19 mn this year, is also open to the idea of opening a factory in India depending on the demand of its products. [image: Ormon Healthcare].

25-Dec-15 Japan's first new school of medicine in 38 years will open close to Narita Airport with the aim of capitalizing on the medical tourism market and attracting foreign visitors for medical check-ups and treatments from world-class physicians. Foreign visitors will be offered general checkups, advanced medical care and the opportunity to see the sights of Tokyo. [image: International University of Health and Welfare]

24-Dec-15 China's public insurance coverage is far less than adequate with low reimbursement rates – patented medicine and use of high-end medical devices are usually not covered. These gaps, together with China’s effort to boost investment in private healthcare insurance, have opened up attractive opportunities for foreign insurance companies, as the sector grows at over 40% annually. [image: China Briefing]