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Outpatient Dispensing Patterns and Changes in Tirzepatide Strength Mix in Japan: A Study Using the National Open
Takuya Omura1,2, Takahiro Kamihara3
1Department of Metabolic Research, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, JPN.
Cureus
|July 31, 2026
Summary
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) dispensing in Japan is mainly outside hospitals, with higher strengths becoming more common. This shift occurred alongside increased overall usage from June 2024 to March 2025.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacoeconomics and Drug Utilization Research
- Health Services Research
- Diabetes Mellitus Management
Background:
- Tirzepatide, a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist, is approved in Japan for type 2 diabetes as Mounjaro.
- Previous Japanese studies focused on tirzepatide's efficacy, safety, and patient adherence.
- National dispensing patterns and product-strength mix changes remained undescribed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze national dispensing patterns and product-strength mix changes for tirzepatide in Japan.
- To investigate structural changes in outpatient dispensing alongside increased drug quantities.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of injectable-drug quantity data from Japan's National Database of Health Insurance Claims (FY2024).
- Identification of all six Mounjaro strengths using National Health Insurance drug codes.
- Monthly analysis of outpatient prescription worksheets (within and outside institutions) from June 2024 to March 2025.
Main Results:
- Outpatient dispensing predominantly occurred outside medical institutions (86.2%).
- Monthly quantity increased significantly, with outside-institution dispensing share rising to 87.6%.
- A shift towards higher strengths (≥7.5 mg) was observed, increasing from 13.0% to 24.0%.
Conclusions:
- Tirzepatide dispensing in Japan is concentrated outside medical institutions, with this trend increasing.
- Increased tirzepatide usage correlated with a significant shift in the product-strength mix.
- The study provides a national overview of dispensing dynamics, not patient-level outcomes.
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