What NAKAKITA YAKUHIN does

Nakakita Yakuhin Co., Ltd. (中北薬品株式会社) is a privately-held, family-owned pharmaceutical wholesaler, manufacturer, and consumer health products company founded in 1726 and headquartered in Nagoya, Japan. It distributes approximately 13,000 prescription drug items to roughly 240,000 medical institutions nationwide, with revenue heavily weighted toward ethical pharmaceuticals (~83.8% of total sales) supplemented by OTC drugs, quasi-drugs, cosmetics, animal health products, and direct-to-consumer brands such as Katsumei-cha (活命茶) health tea. Operations span 33 branches and 9 logistics centers across 11 prefectures, supported by 156 municipal health partnership agreements and route-sales (MS) teams organized by clinical specialty (ophthalmology, OB/GYN, dental, animal health, ME/reagents).

The company operates three GMP/PIC/S ICH-compliant liquid pharmaceutical manufacturing plants (Tsushima in Aichi, Wattsu in Hokkaido, and subsidiary Yakuhan Pharmaceutical in Hokkaido), enabling both proprietary OTC products and contract OEM manufacturing for external clients. Proprietary technology assets include a WMS-based lot/expiration tracking system for traceability, the NAWS (New Amenity wear Washing System) hospital uniform management service using 2D barcode and IC Box logistics, and specialized route-sales IT systems shared with industry partners via the Ashino-kai (葦の会) joint venture. High-speed filling lines support internal liquid preparations at 250 bottles/min and external preparations at 40–60 bottles/min.

Revenue is generated primarily through transaction-based B2B wholesaling of ethical and OTC pharmaceuticals, contract manufacturing fees for liquid dosage forms, direct-to-consumer e-commerce via the Nakakita Online Shop, and a growing portfolio of adjacent services (NAWS uniform management, Manner instructor seminars, StudioWill fitness, Robocare rehabilitation, Will Support welfare vehicle rental, KEN SHOP retail). The company employs approximately 906 people (March 2026) and reported annual sales of ¥217.8 billion for the fiscal year ending March 2026. The ninth-generation Nakakita family maintains operational control, with President Keisuke Nakakita leading the business following the December 2025 passing of former Chairman Tomohisa Nakakita.

Name

NAKAKITA YAKUHIN

Legal name

中北薬品株式会社 (Nakakita Yakuhin Co., Ltd.)

Website

https://nakakita.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1726

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Nakakita Yakuhin is a family-owned pharmaceutical wholesaler, contract manufacturer, and consumer health products company founded in 1726, headquartered in Nagoya, Japan. It distributes approximately 13,000 prescription drug items to 240,000 medical institutions across 11 prefectures via 33 branches and 9 logistics centers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pharmaceutical Wholesaling and Distribution

NAICS

Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (424210), Pharmacies and Drug Retailers (45611), Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254), Health and Personal Care Retailers (456)

SIC

Wholesale-Drugs, Proprietaries & Druggists' Sundries (5122), Retail-Drug Stores And Proprietary Stores (5912), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)

akta.pro primary industry

OTC & Consumer Health Distributors (HLAIAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

OTC Medicines & Consumer Health Products Distribution (CRAOAHAB), Pharmacy Front-End & Sundries Distribution (Health & Wellness, Personal Care, Convenience) (CRAOAHAG), Pharmacy Benefit/Channel Services (PSAO, 340B Admin, Chargebacks/Rebates Ops) (CRAOAHAK), Cold, Flu, Cough & Allergy Remedies (Decongestants, Antihistamines, Cough Syrups, Lozenges) (CRADAMAD), Health & Pharmacy Omnichannel (CRAFAEAK)

Keywords

• Pharmaceutical distribution
• Prescription drug wholesale
• Liquid pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Medical supplies logistics
• Consumer health products

Headquarters

HQ city

Nagoya

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices15 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Ethical (Prescription) Pharmaceutical Wholesaling: Core business: distributing prescription pharmaceuticals from manufacturers to hospitals, clinics, and dispensing pharmacies. Approximately 13,000 prescription drug items supplied to ~240,000 medical institutions. Revenue composition: Ethical drugs ~83.8% of total sales.
2. OTC / Quasi-Drug / General Consumer Products: Sale of OTC pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, cosmetics, health foods, sanitary materials, and daily goods to pharmacies and drugstore chains. Revenue composition: OTC/general products ~7.9%.
3. Animal Health Products: Veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and animal medical equipment. Revenue composition: ~2.6% of total sales.
4. Contract Pharmaceutical Manufacturing: OEM/contract manufacturing of liquid preparations (internal and external liquid pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, cosmetics) at three plants (Tsushima, Wattsu, Yakuhan), serving pharmaceutical companies and other clients.
5. Direct-to-Consumer (E-commerce): Sale of branded products including Katsumei-cha (health tea), supplements, and other consumer health products directly through the Nakakita Online Shop.
6. Other Services: NAWS uniform management service, opening support for clinics/pharmacies, seminars, nutrition counseling, and other customer support services. Revenue composition: other ~5.7%.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

NAKAKITA YAKUHIN is a regional pharmaceutical wholesaler and contract manufacturer distributing approximately 13,000 prescription drug items to roughly 240,000 medical institutions (hospitals, clinics, and dispensing pharmacies) across 11 prefectures in central Japan. Ethical pharmaceutical wholesaling accounts for ~83.8% of revenue, complemented by OTC/quasi-drug/consumer product distribution (7.9%), animal health products (2.6%), and contract manufacturing of liquid pharmaceutical preparations at three GMP/PIC/S-compliant plants. The company also sells branded consumer health products (e.g., Katsumeicha tea, NMN supplements, hand sanitizers) through pharmacies, drugstores, and its own e-commerce platform.

Product overview

Nakakita Yakuhin (中北약품株式会社) is a regional pharmaceutical wholesaler founded in 1726, headquartered in Nagoya, operating primarily across 11 prefectures in central Japan. The company operates three interconnected business segments: (1) Pharmaceutical Wholesaling — the core business mediating between pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare institutions (hospitals, clinics, dispensing pharmacies), handling ethical drugs, OTC pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, sanitary materials, and animal pharmaceuticals, supported by 9 logistics centers and 33 branches; (2) Contract Manufacturing — in-house pharmaceutical and quasi-drug manufacturing of liquid preparations at three factories (Tsushima Factory in Aichi, Wattsu Factory and Yakuhan Pharmaceutical in Hokkaido) producing internal liquid dosage forms (syrups, suspensions, elixirs) and external preparations (disinfectants, inhalants, mouthwashes, lotions); and (3) Consumer Products — branded OTC, quasi-drug, cosmetic, and food products sold through pharmacies, drug stores, and the Nakakita Online Shop (e-commerce), including the well-known 活命茶 (Katsumeicha) health tea since 1987, functional foods (スラっサポ, メノサポ, NMN supplements), and hand/finger disinfectants. The company also provides supporting services including NAWS uniform management, logistics, customer/community health support programs (まちつけ), and wellness businesses (fitness gym, welfare vehicle rental, robocare center, rice ball café, antenna shop).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 活命茶 (Katsumeicha): Health tea blended with 8 types of plants including oolong tea, habu tea, roasted barley tea, Job's tears, jujube, jasmine, persimmon leaves, and kelp. Launched 1987, a long-selling product in the Tokai region.
• かつめい茶 (Katsumei-cha)
• エタIP(R)消毒液 (Etha IP Disinfectant)
• StudioWill
• Robocare Center Nagoya Hisaya (名古屋ロボケアセンター久屋店)
• Will Support (ウィルサポート)
• 一汁おにぎり ニギ (Ichijuu Onigiri NIGI)
• KEN SHOP (KENショップ)

Products and services

• Pharmaceutical Wholesale Distribution (医薬品批发) Core business mediating between pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare institutions (hospitals, clinics, dispensing pharmacies). Handles ethical drugs, OTC drugs, quasi-drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, and animal pharmaceuticals across 33 branches and 9 logistics centers in 11 prefectures.
• Liquid Pharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing (液剤受託製造サービス) OEM/contract manufacturing service for liquid pharmaceutical preparations, covering both internal and external liquid dosage forms. Operated across three factories (Tsushima in Aichi, Wattsu in Hokkaido, Yakuhan in Hokkaido) with GMP/PIC/S ICH-compliant facilities and high-speed filling lines.
• NAWS (New Amenity wear Washing System) Uniform Management Proprietary uniform management and cleaning service system for hospitals. Provides rental, cleaning, and maintenance of hospital uniforms using IC Box delivery system and 2D barcode computer management to reduce inventory waste and eliminate attendance requirements at deliveries.
• Katsumeicha (活命茶) Health Tea Long-selling flagship health tea since 1987, blended with 8 plant ingredients including oolong tea, habu tea, roasted barley tea, Job's tears, jujube, jasmine, persimmon leaf, and kombu. Available in 275g, 500ml, and 2L formats for consumer health markets.
• Medica Mask NAKAKITA (メディカマスク NAKAKITA) JIS T 9001 Class II compliant 3-layer pleated surgical masks (50 pieces per pack) sold as medical supply products through pharmacies, drug stores, and healthcare channels.
• Hand and Finger Disinfectant Ethanol IP (手と指の消毒用エタノールIP) Designated quasi-drug hand and finger disinfectant with approximately 80vol% ethanol concentration; included a special edition featuring disability art (Tomoni Art Project) in collaboration with Ogaki Kyoritsu Bank.
• Nice Mate (ナイスメート) Hand Cream Hand cream brand featuring collaborative package design with the 'Aju no Pickles' character. Sold as a branded cosmetic product through drugstores and consumer retail channels.
• Sapio Plus Premium NMN (サピオプラスプレミアムNMN) Anti-aging dietary supplement combining NMN, PQQ, and reduced coenzyme Q10 (90 capsules per container) targeted at consumers seeking aging care solutions.
• StudioWill FITNESS100 / KITCHEN100 Personal gym and café offering exercise programs based on genetic testing combined with dietary support, targeting healthy longevity in the 100-year life era. Launched April 2024.
• Manner Seminars (接遇研修サービス) Etiquette and hospitality training seminars conducted by Nakakita's certified Manner Instructor department for external corporate clients, healthcare organizations, and municipal partners.
• Will Support (ウィルサポート) Welfare Vehicle Rental Welfare vehicle rental service making wheelchair-accessible vehicles more accessible for comfortable outings. Launched April 2023.
• Nagoya Robocare Center Hisayaten (名古屋ロボケアセンター久屋店) Robot-assisted rehabilitation center using HAL® wearable cyborg for functional improvement training for individuals with spinal cord injuries, post-stroke sequelae, and muscle weakness. Launched April 2023.
• Katsumeicha Relax Blend (かつめいちゃ リラックスブレンド) Relax blend of Katsumeicha co-developed with Chukyo University, launched November 2021 as a general sales product targeting relaxation-focused consumers.
• Nakakita Online Shop (なかきたオンラインショップ) E-commerce platform operated by Nakakita Yakuhin for direct sale of branded pharmaceutical, quasi-drug, cosmetic, and food products (Katsumeicha, supplements, OTC items) to consumers.

Quantifiable outcome

• OTIF delivery rate of 80–100% achieved consistently across manufacturing operations
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ヤクハン製薬株式会社 (Yakuhan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2023Acquired as a subsidiary in 2023, Yakuhan Pharmaceutical operates a liquid pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Hokkaido (Watto Industrial Park, Kitahiroshima). This acquisition expanded Nakakita's manufacturing capacity to 3 plants, strengthening BCP redundancy.
• 株式会社大垣共立銀行 (Ogaki Kyoritsu Bank)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Nakakita participates as a 'supporter company' in the bank's 'Tomoni Art Project' supporting the independence of people with disabilities. The first project launched a product featuring disability art on an ethanol disinfectant label.
• 愛知県長久手市 (Nakakute City, Aichi Prefecture)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Signed a comprehensive partnership agreement in 2022 for community health promotion and community-inclusive care system development. Nakakita provides nutrition seminars, health events, and community health support through this partnership.
• 中日ドラゴンズ (Chunichi Dragons)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Sports marketing partnership including game-day events at Nagoya Dome, co-branded products (Dora-Katsu Mei-Cha commemorative packaging), and commemorative events for company milestones (295th anniversary aligned with Dragons' 85th anniversary).
• 中京大学 (Chukyo University)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Joint product development with Chukyo University resulting in the 'Katsumei-cha Relax Blend' (かつめいちゃ リラックスブレンド) general consumer product, launched November 2021.
• 材惣木材株式会社 (Zaisou Mokuzai Co., Ltd.)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Edo-period company collaboration (founded 1690). Joint set product combining Zaiso's wooden foot-pedal sanitizing stand with Nakakita's hand sanitizer, commemorating Nakakita's 295th anniversary.
• Fight the Fakes (ファイト・ザ・フェイク)minorOthers · 1 January 2019Nakakita Yakuhin officially supports the Fight the Fakes campaign, a global movement raising awareness about the dangers of counterfeit medicines and advocating for stronger supply chain integrity.
• 株式会社葦の会 (Ashi no Kai Inc.)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005Joint venture company established in 2005 by 9 pharmaceutical distribution companies (Hokuyaku, Vital Net, Nabekura, Toho Pharmaceutical, KSK, Astem, Iwabuchi Yakuhin, Saywell, and Nakakita Yakuhin) for collaborative business operations and shared services.
• 武田薬品工業株式会社 (Takeda Pharmaceutical Company)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNakakita Yakuhin has a personal information joint use agreement with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company and other related companies for the use of information systems and groupware. Personal data is shared within the agreed scope for business purposes.
• 株式会社日本アルトマーク (Japan Alto Mark Co., Ltd.)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint use of medical database (MDB) operated by Japan Alto Mark. Nakakita shares and uses medical/parmaceutical personal data jointly with Japan Alto Mark and its member companies for pharmaceutical information and market research purposes.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Medipal Holdings: Japan's largest pharmaceutical wholesaler with nationwide coverage of ethical drugs, OTC, and medical devices. Directly comparable to Nakakita in core product lines but vastly larger in scale and national footprint.
• Suzuken Co., Ltd. Major Japanese pharmaceutical wholesaler with deep Chubu/Tokai regional roots similar to Nakakita before its national expansion. Highly comparable in route-sales model and OTC/ethical drug distribution mix.
• Alfresa Holdings: Major Japanese pharmaceutical wholesaler with nationwide distribution across ethical, OTC, and animal health products. Comparable business model to Nakakita at significantly larger scale, including hospital/clinic direct coverage.

Direct peers

• KSK Co., Ltd. Pharmaceutical wholesaler and Ashinokai JV co-founder with comparable route-sales approach. Operates in similar regional markets, making it a direct mid-tier competitor.
• Vital Net (formerly VITAL-NET): Pharmaceutical wholesaler co-founding the Ashinokai JV with Nakakita. Highly comparable business model focused on dispensing pharmacy supply and clinical information services.
• Chiba Shoji Co., Ltd. Pharmaceutical wholesaler with similar profile to Nakakita: route-sales coverage, hospital/clinic specialization, and regional focus. Comparable mid-tier Japanese wholesaler.
• Toho Pharmaceutical: Regional pharmaceutical wholesaler and fellow co-founder of the Ashinokai JV alongside Nakakita. Competes directly in dispensing pharmacy supply with comparable specialty clinical sales coverage.
• Iwabuchi Pharmaceutical (Iwabuchi Yakuhin): Japanese pharmaceutical wholesaler and Ashinokai JV partner. Comparable scale and product mix (ethical, OTC, animal health), making it a direct regional peer.

Others

• Yakuhan Pharmaceutical (Yakuhan Seiyaku): Now a wholly-owned Nakakita subsidiary, but historically an independent liquid pharmaceutical contract manufacturer. Relevant for liquid-prep CMO comparisons and illustrating Nakakita's vertical integration strategy.
• Astellas Pharma (contract manufacturing counterpart): Large pharmaceutical manufacturer whose products (among others) Nakakita distributes and manufactures via contract. Comparable liquid-pharma production capabilities at the OEM level make it a relevant CMO counterpart.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NAKAKITA YAKUHIN