Japan’s Ministry of Health said it had officially taken the decision to end all remaining relief measures, particularly those aimed at curing COVID-19, by the end of March.
The ministry has been eliminating the disease since the government reduced the legal standing of the disease to the same point as seasonal flu in May last year.
There are plans to decline to the same point as influenza starting in April of this year.
The ministry would notify municipalities of the termination on Tuesday.
Currently, the maximum payment for coronavirus drugs is capped at 9,000 yen, or about $60, per patient, but patients will have to pay more starting in April.
For example, the list value for a five-day Xocova prescription is 52,000 yen, or about $346. People with an insurance plan with a 30% self-pay rate will have to pay 15,500 yen, or more than $100.
The measures that will be removed also include reimbursement for medical services that reserve some of their beds for COVID patients. Special monetary fees for hospitals will also end.
Health Minister Takemi Keizo said the ministry had made the decision to carry out the measures as planned, based on the existing assessment of the effect of the coronavirus. He added that his ministry will continue to provide up-to-date information.