1. 88.1% watched the newspaper advertisement enlightening new retailing system
On June 1st, 2009, when the revised pharmaceutical affairs law was enforced, Japan Self-Medication Industry (JSMI) placed full-page advertisements to enlighten new retailing system in the morning edition of 5 major national newspapers (Asahi, Yomiuri, Nikkei, Sankei, Mainichi) and 3 major local newspapers (Hokkaido, Chunichi, Nishinippon)
According to internet research about this advertisement conducted by Chunichi newspaper company , which is one of newspaper companies placing this advertisement , 88.1% answered that they surely had watched it or thought they watched it. 59.4% answered that they surely had watched it and 22.2% answered that they had read it carefully.
And Chunich newspaper company also researched the understanding levels after they read.
The summary is as follows.
1. Understanding levels of "OTC medicines" (total understanding level 77.1%)
(1)
I understood it much better
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9.2%
(2)
I understood it a little.
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67.9%
(3)
I didn’t understand it very much
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20.6%
(4)
I didn’t understand it at all
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2.3%
2. Understanding levels of the advertisement
(1)
The name changed from “Taisyu-yaku” to “OTC medicines”
“Taisyu-yaku means medicines for public people in Japanese
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85.3%
(2)
New retailing system of OTC medicines started.
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95.0%
(3)
OTC medicines are classified into 3 categories and need to be offered information and consultation.
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81.7%
84% highly evaluated and answered ”Got interested" and more than 80.0% answered “Undertandable” or “Reliable”.
2. "Self-medication handbook 2009 version” were distributed
On May 2009, Chair of Public Affairs Committee of Japan Self-Medication Industry (JSMI) made 210,000 copies of "Self-medication handbook 2009 version” ,which were provided with pharmaceutical practice sections of local governments, local consumer centers and local healthcare centers Information of "the influenza" were newly added and much information were added at the section of “The sales style of OTC medicines has changed”
3.The Report on “OTC Medicines and Healthcare 2009”
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 13, 2009.
BREAKDOWN OF THE RESPONDENTS
(A) Gender and Age
1,000 respondents
Males
42.6 %
Females
57.4 %
1,000 respondents
Under 29 years old
4.1 %
30 ~ 39 years old
12.8 %
40 ~ 49 years old
20.0 %
50 ~ 59 years old
27.0%
60 ~ 69 years old
24.0 %
Above 70 years old
12.1 %
The average age
53.50 years old
(B) Occupation
1,000 respondents
Salaried men/women
34.3 %
Homemakers
32.2 %
Inoccupation and Others
27.3 %
Free business/Self-employed
3.3 %
Students
1.0 %
Unanswered
1.9 %
RESULTS OF THE SURVEY
(1) Awareness of OTC medicine
Do you know the term of “OTC Medicines”?
1,000 respondents
Yes, I know.
32.8 %
No, I don’t know but have an interest.
61.4 %
No, I don’t know and don’t have an interest.
5.7%
Unanswered
0.1%
(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.
4.8 %
Yes, I know it to some extent.
24.0 %
I have heard only the term.
33.2 %
No. I don’t know it .
37.9 %
Unanswered
0.1 %
(3) Awareness of the revision of the retailing system of OTC medicines
In June 2009, the retailing system of OTC medicines will be revised. Do you know of this?
1,000 respondents
Yes, I know of it.
31.4 %
Although I don’t know of it, I am interested in it.
63.7 %
Neither I know of it nor I am interested in it.
4.8 %
Unanswered
0.1 %
(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).
18.6 %
First of all, I will go to a hospital to consult a physician.
11.4 %
Depending on my condition, I will decide whether I go to a drugstore/a pharmacy or a hospital.
52.9 %
I will watch my condition for a while.
17.1 %
(5) The package insert
Do you read the package insert (the leaflet for OTC medicines) when you use it?
