1.New Years Greetings by Mr. Yoshihiro MIWA, Chairperson, Japan Self-Medication Industry
Last year, the Sub Prime Turbulence in the U.S.A. induced the global financial crisis which was not found in a century. This extensive financial and economic crisis in the globalized world economy has inescapably made an impact on the actual economy in Japan. There were cut off of temporary workers in various factories in Japan this winter, and people are concerned about lengthening of the recession.
The growth of OTC market in Japan is also affected. The market research company reported slight decrease in the performance comparing to last year results.
Even in this tight economical situation, the full implementation of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law (PAL) amendment shall be enforced in this June. It means the start of new retail system of OTC medicines in Japan after the 46 years of current PAL enforcement. Under this new scheme, the OTC manufacturers are faced to respond to not only supply of excellent quality, safety and effectiveness of OTC products but also offering of sufficient information relevant to the OTC products to wholesalers, retailers, and consumers. We are working hard to respond to these inquiries with the cooperation of Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), and other relevant responsible organizations. In conjunction with these efforts, we had organized first summit conference composed with top level executives from the Japan Pharmaceutical Association (JPA), the Japanese Association of Chain Drug Stores (JACDS), and Japan Self-Medication Industry (JSMI), and built a good relation among these three parties for the OTC market development and further support of the consumers through frank discussion.
One of the fruits of the effort is a shared recognition to avoid unnecessary return of OTC products from the retail stores when the OTC category labeling is introduced. According to an explanation, putative amount of returning goods is estimated at 200 billion Yen. The other fruit is the cooperation for the unified form of the "Explanatory document" for the Class 1 OTC medicines.
We have only 5 months until the full implementation of new retail system in June. We, JSMI and the member companies continue the good cooperation with MHLW, JACDS, JPA, and other relevant organizations for the sufficient implementation of new rules.
We addressed three challenges for further development of OTC market.
First is the vitalization of OTC market. Second is the enlightenment of the consumer on the "Role of OTC medicines". Third is the promotion of the Responsible Self-Medication in the Asia-Pacific Region.
For the vitalization of OTC market, following issues should be recognized in the background.
Japan is rushing into the phase of aging society with fewer children as the first runner in the world.
The government of Japan started its national policy to combat the metabolic syndromes to reduce the patients or potential ones of life-style diseases in April, 2008.
The longevity with good health is everyonefs wish, and it has to be accomplished without the excessive expansion of medical health expenditures.
I believe that the OTC industry is able to contribute to not only the promotion of peoplefs health through the rational use of OTC medicines, but also the improvement of national health expenditures in a long span.
To accomplish the progress, it is essential to promote the launch of new OTC medicines out of the old boundaries for existing OTC medicines.
JSMI responded to the publishing of Rx-to-OTC Switching Scheme by MHLW, In April 2007, JSMI announced a list of 70 candidates for the consideration.
In last August, the committee on OTC medicines within the Pharmaceutical and Food Sanitation Council was convened and recommended 7 ingredients for the switching. Based on the recommendation, the Director of Assessment and Registration Division of Pharmaceutical Affairs Bureau, MHLW issued a notice to the pharmaceutical industry to encourage the switching. The approach for the enhanced OTC medicines is in progress.
For the acceleration of these movements, JSMI announced an additional list of 20 ingredients for further consideration. Such works of selection and public announcement of the candidates would be continued annually.
On the other hand, JSMI had a contract with academia to examine quantitatively the social contribution of OTC medicines from the viewpoint of medical economics. The project is carried out by the professors of Keio University, and Hitotsubashi University. The report is expected to be finalized in next spring.
The contribution of generics to the balance of health insurance finance attracts attention. However, the contribution of OTC medicines is also to be enormous by providing the new OTC products on new indications in response to various health needs from consumers.
Regarding the enlightenment of the consumer on the "Role of OTC medicines", JSMI plans to strengthen the dissemination of the evidence to explain the position and role of OTC medicines in the healthy life, and its social contribution as possible as easily recognizable.
For example, the difference of the OTC medicines from dietary supplements, such as Foods for Specified Health Uses or relevant so-called health foods should be recognized by consumers. The promotion of Responsible Self-Medication through the rational use of OTC medicines would be a typical solution.
The dissemination of new retail system from June for the right recognition by consumers also would be a critical issue for us.
Finally, I would like to draw your attention to the promotion of Responsible Self-Medication in the Asia-Pacific Region as our international activity. The global development of OTC markets beyond national borders should be accelerated. The establishment time plan for the Asia Pacific Self-Medication Industry (APSMI) was introduced and acknowledged at the WSMI Board of Directors meeting at Beijing in November 2008.
For converting this ambitious plan into tangible forms, the APSMI Executive Committee and the Regulatory Affairs Committee would be established in early 2009.
I and my colleagues gathered in JSMI do our best for steady and successful results on these three challenges.
For keeping on the birdfs-eye view on the activities of JSMI in these so rapidly changing days, I have established a special project for the JSMI Vision within the Tactics Committee. On the next General Assembly of JSMI in this May, the JSMI Policy Vision would be appeared based on this project.
In 2009, the new retail system starts as the first year of OTC medicines.
"I am the manager of my own health" is to be a key phrase for the promotion of Responsible Self-Medication, I and all colleagues in JSMI shall work for the sound development of OTC pharmaceutical Industry to accomplish it. Your continuous supports and cooperation would be sincerely appreciated.
2. 16th WSMI General Assembly / 7th WSMI Asia-Pacific Regional Conference in Beijing, China
The WSMI Symposium on Self-Care in Healthcare system; 16th WSMI General Assembly / 7th Asia-Pacific Regional Conference were held from November 7th through@9th, 2008 in Beijing, China.
More than 50 people participated from JSMI, as well as related persons from MHLW, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and academic circles.
At the session "Consumer education and information" on November 8th, Mr. Miwa, Chairman of JSMI, reported on the recent OTC market condition and the revision of Pharmaceutical Affairs Law in Japan.
Also, to promote self-medication in Asia-Pacific region, Mr. Miwa declared to support the preparation activity of the regional organization inauguration and to continue to support the activity after the organization is inaugurated
The JSMIfs activity on the promotion of self-medication in Asia-Pacific region was praised and supported in the opening speech by Mr. Hans V. Regenauer, Chairman of WSMI at the time, as well as in the summary greeting at the end of the seminar by Mr. Christopher Combe, the new Chairman of WSMI.
3.The Report on "OTC Medicines and Healthcare 2008"
This report summarized the results of the consumer awareness survey conducted by means of a questionnaire in an advertorial concerning the OTC medicines and the healthcare carried by THE ASAHI SHINBUN COMPANY on March 18, 2008.
BREAKDOWN OF THE RESPONDENTS
(A) Gender and Age
1,000 respondents
Males
46.2 %
Females
53.8 %
1,000 respondents
Under 29 years old
3.5 %
30 ~ 39 years old
9.6 %
40 ~ 49 years old
15.1 %
50 ~ 59 years old
26.7 %
60 ~ 69 years old
28.5 %
Above 70 years old
16.6 %
The average age
56.30 years old
(B) Occupation
1,000 respondents
Inoccupation and Others
33.4 %
Salaried men/women
29.4 %
Housewive
28.3 %
Free business/Self-employed
4.3 %
Students
1.0 %
Unanswered
3.6 %
RESULTS OF THE SURVEY
(1) Awareness of OTC medicine
Do you know the term of "OTC Medicines"?
1,000 respondents
Yes, I know
33.4 %
No, I donft know it.
29.4 %
No, I donft know but have an interest.
28.3 %
No, I donft know and donft have an interest. 1.1%
4.3 %
1,000 respondents
Yes, I know
33.4 %
No, I donft know it.
29.4 %
No, I donft know but have an interest.
28.3 %
No, I donft know and donft have an interest. 1.1%
4.3 %
(2) Awareness of Self-Medication
The term, "Self-Medication", is defined as self-treatment of mild illnesses and injuries by the use of OTC medicines. Do you know this term?
1,000 respondents
Yes, I know it pretty well
4.0 %
Yes, I know it to some extent
20.2 %
I have heard only the term
32.0 %
No. I donft know it
43.8 %
(3) Awareness of the revision of the retailing system of OTC medicines
From April 2007, the retailing system of OTC medicines will be revised. Do you know of this?
1,000 respondents
Yes, I know of it
7.3 %
No, I donft know of it
41.1 %
Although I donft know of it, I am interested in it
50.2 %
Neither I know of it nor I am interested in it
1.4 %
(4) How to treat yourself when you do not feel well
When you do not feel well (for example, when you can diagnose yourself that you have caught a cold or you have stiff shoulders), how do you treat your discomforts?
1,000 respondents
First of all, I will go to a drugstore/a pharmacy@to purchase an OTC medicine(s).
17.2 %
First of all, I will go to a hospital to consult a physician.
10.2 %
Depending on my condition, I will decide whether I go to a drugstore/a pharmacy or a hospital.
54.4 %
I will watch my condition for a while.
18.1 %
Unanswered
0.1 %
(5) Frequency to go to a drugstore/a pharmacy
How often do you go to a drugstore/a pharmacy?
1,000 respondents
More than once a week
10.9 %
3 ~ 4 times a month
19.6 %
1 ~ 2 times a month
38.8 %
Less than once in 2 ~ 3 months
27.6 %
I donft go
2.2 %
Unanswered
0.9 %
(6) The public image of a drugstore/a pharmacy
May we know your image of a drugstore/a pharmacy?
968 respondents out of 1,000 answered.
Contents of Image
Respondent (%)
Anything and everything are sold
221 (22.8)
Easy to consult pharmacists, Pharmacists are reliable
173 (17.9)
Convenient, Good, Satisfactory
146 (15.1)
Easy for shopping; Can buy anytime
88 (9.1)
Easy to get in
81 (8.4)
Kind, Courtesy
60 (6.2)
Less costly merchandise
59 (6.1)
Easy to give suggestions/requests to pharmacies, Drug store
58 (6.0)
Can utilize drugstores/pharmacies for treating discomforts not serious enough to necessitate to see a physician
52 (5.4)
Bright, Clean, Spacious
44 (4.5)
Ease of mind, Necessary
43 (4.4)
Friendly atmosphere, Familiarity
36 (3.7)
Specialized store for OTC medicines
35 (3.6)
Unreliable, Anxious, Unkind
34 (3.5)
Possibility of self-selection of medicines
33 (3.4)
Delightful
27 (2.8)
Many store clerks such as part-timers who are not versed in professional knowledge, Hard to identify who is a pharmacist
26 (2.7)
Specialized store for prescription medicines
26 (2.7)
Easy to give suggestions/requests to pharmacists
24 (2.5)
Too large stocks of goods, Displays in disorder, Many items other than medicines
21 (2.2)
Many kinds of medicines
17 (1.8)
Expensive
16 (1.7)
Many stores
14 (1.4)
4.Educational DVD on Self-Medication for junior high school students was selected as an excellent educational material
JSMI produced an educational video on Self-Medication for general consumers and high school students in 2005, and donated it to the pharmaceutical affairs division and the healthcare center in each prefectural government.
In response to the governmental guideline that the curriculum, "Yaku-Iku: Education for promoting proper use of medicine", will be adopted from 2011, JSMI planed to produce an educational DVD on Self-Medication for junior high school students in 2006.
Taking the opinions of teachers in various fields into account, JSMI produced the DVD titled "The right relation between health and medicine; everyonefs Self-Medication". The DVDs were donated to 1,000 schools as well as to the Japan Pharmaceutical Association. In August 2008, the DVD received the award of excellent educational materials for junior high school in the National Self-Made Audio-Visual Material Contest in the 2008 hosted by Japan Audio-Visual Education Association.
JSMI also intends to produce the updated DVD for the general consumers to educate more people on Self-Medication.
