OTC conference 2009 was held on December 1 st. 2009, as a main theme “Self Medication is changing the social world”, as a sub-theme “Contribution of OTC medicines to the society from the view point of medical care cost”.
The OTC conference appointed Dr. Atsushi Seike, Prime Minister and Professor of Keio University to chairman, and there were discussion focused on lifestyle-related diseases which are the most important health issues in Japan. The approach which studying the contribution of OTC medicines to the society from the view point of medical care cost surrounding the above discussion was very impressive.
Opening remarks from Mr. Miwa, Chairman of JSMI
New Retailing System enforced in June 1st 2009 will promote Rx-to-OTC switching. Then it is expected that OTC medicines contribute to the medical care cost reduction.
For the first time, today we release the result of our quantitative study by simulating the social impact and the financial contribution of Rx-to-OTC switching in the category of lifestyle-related disease. I expect that this study result will be discussed widely and hope to contribute the progress of Self Medication.
Speeches
“How should we treat lifestyle-related diseases?” by Dr. Tamio Teramoto, Professor of Internal medicine, Teikyo University School of Medicine.
“Estimated medical care cost surrounding lifestyle-related diseases” by Dr. Masako Ii, Professor, School of International and Public Policy, Hitotsubashi University
“Study of pharmacological and economic impact by prevention of stroke for mild hypertension patients after Rx-to-OTC switching of ACE inhibitor” by Dr. Mayumi Mochizuki, Professor of Division for Evaluation and Analysis of Drug Information, Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University
Wrap up from Dr. Seike, Chairman of the Conference
Dr. Seike, Dean, Faculty of Business and Commerce, Graduates School of Business and Commerce, wrapped up today’s speeches as follows;
In the view point of Self Medication, it is suggested that there is a possibility that we can conduct several actions for big social issues “lifestyle-related diseases” under revised Pharmaceutical Affairs Law.
However there are still many issues to overcome. It is important that each professionals address these tasks based on their scientific perception.
All consumers should care their health by themselves by using OTC medicines as the educated consumer, with scientific and empirical knowledge about medicine.
Therefore, it is important for economists to study what kind of information should be given to consumers by doctors and pharmacists, and finally what kind of profit will be provided to the society.
2. Public Seminar were held in 3 Main Cities
JSMI held a public seminar in Tokyo (on December 11th. 2009), Osaka (on December 15th, 2009) and Nagoya (on November 16th. 2009) in order to discuss changes and issues surrounding the OTC medicine with about 100 media persons after half an year from the enforcement of New Retailing System.
Intage Inc., one of the big market research companies in Japan, reported the trend of OTC market after the enforcement of revised Pharmaceutical Affairs Law as well as the response of consumer.
Report on research
1. Trend of OTC market from April to October 2009 [data from Intage Inc.]
a. Growth of total sales versus previous year in retailer price
Whole market
Class 1 OTC medicines
Apr. 2009
100.7%
107.0%
May.
104.7%
107.8%
Jun.
97.2%
80.8%
Jul.
95.3%
73.4%
Aug.
105.2%
83.1%
Sep.
103.6%
86.4%
Oct.
98.9%
80.6%
b. Growth of sales by therapeutic category
Increased category: sterilizing agents, gargles, agents for women, Traditional herbal medicines and preparations for the hair
Decreased category: athlete’s foot remedies, dermatological preparations (excluding sterilizing agents), cold remedy, self diagnosis products and other OTC medicines
c. Sales of Class 1 OTC medicines
Ratio of retailer selling Class 1 OTC medicines: 77.0% (last year: 95.8%) There was no large change in sales amount per retailer. Reduction of ratio of retailer selling Class 1 OTC medicines affected their category sales.
2. Summary of Consumer research (research period: 30 Oct. – 5 Nov. 2009, N=1,200) [data from joint research Intage Inc. and JSMI]
a. Awareness regarding changing selling system of OTC medicine: 71.1% (last research in July 2009: 26.1%)
b. Awareness regarding changing rules by New Retailing System
“We can purchase medicine at supermarket, etc. with pharmacists and registered retailers.” : 54.7% “Purchasing medicine through internet is restricted.” : 48.8% “A new license –“Registered retailers” has newly introduced.” : 37.6%
c. Awareness regarding the word “OTC medicines” : 14.2% (unchanged from previous research)
d. Awareness regarding the word “Switched OTC” : 4.2% (unchanged from previous research)
e. Awareness regarding the word “Self Medication” : 21% (previous research: 18%)
f. Difficulties in conducting “Self Medication”
I do not have the confidence with my self-diagnosis.
I do not have the confidence whether I can treat the sickness by myself.
I do not have information and knowledge about OTC medicines.
g. Difficulties in purchasing “Medicines”
I do not know the proper efficacy of medicines suitable to my situation .
I do not know the medicines suitable to my situation.
I do not know about the combined administration of medicines.
I do not know which medicines have high risk, such as side effect.
However, half of interviewees answered “I am not worry about it”.
h. Purchase environments of medicines since this June. 2009
Regarding new experiences in the store:
(Major opinions)
“Category guidance” is displayed.
Some products in the shelf are displayed as an “empty package” instead of real product.
(Minor opinions; 10%)
It was impossible to purchase Class 1 OTC medicines of the absence of pharmacist in the store.
Customers who had been given some information (advises) from pharmacists are as much as 40%. Their impressions are favorable, such as pharmacists’ information (advises) are useful, helpful and understandable.
Also 40% of customers wanted to use Class 1 OTC medicine. Their images to Class 1 OTC medicines are good and having a rapid efficacy, available easily, reliable, valuable function which deserve their prices.
3. JSMI and CNMA organized the first congress between JSMI and CNMA in Beijing
On January 18, the first Joint Meeting between Japan Self-Medication Industry, JSMI and China Non-prescription Medicines Association, CNMA was held in Beijing with attendance of in total forty people from both countries. Between the executives of both associations, including Mr. Heyong ZHANG, Honorary President and Mr. Huiliang BAI, President from CNMA, and Mr. Yasunori TSURUTA, President and Mr. Seiichiro HATORI, Vice Chairman from JSMI, opinions were exchanged for considering future self-medication industries. They concluded that JSMI and CNMA should have continuous communication in order to promote the responsible self-medication in both Japan and China. As a part of such activities, JSMI invited CNMA to JSMI annual assembly held in May in Tokyo for making a introductory lecture of the self-medication in China. In response, CNMA proposed a joint hosting of a sectional meeting for OTC in the fifth China-Japan Pharmaceutical Congress which is organized by Shanghai City and Osaka City in October. In addition, both associations shared the following understanding each other:
JSMI pointed out how important it is to share future view of Asia Pacific SMI by two associations.
CNMA expressed that the direction on future APSMI is right one. However due to increasing domestic issues and insufficient human resources, they need more time before CNMA officially joins APSMI.
Both associations fully shared that we will continue to have mutual understanding on future OTC market development by having more frequent meetings between two associations.
In the later session of the meeting, representatives of the member company in JSMI and CNMA introduced the actual condition of OTC market in each country, such as positioning of OTC medicines, OTC regulation, activities to promote the self mediation, brand building for OTC etc. From vigorous discussion, possible opportunities of working level communication between Japan and China were suggested.
4. APSMI Strategic Meeting was held in Bangkok
The Asian Pacific Self Medication Industry, APSMI Strategic Meeting was held in Bangkok on March 2nd, 2010 to prepare for the establishment of APSMI. There participated twenty representatives from four countries, Thailand, Singapore, China and Japan as well as WSMI.
The topics mainly discussed in that meeting were mission and vision, organization and budget of APSMI which were once settled in the last meeting held in Kuala Lumpur in last April. Regarding mission and vision, there was some amendment. Formerly planned organization was reconstructed to add a committee based on the interchange of pharmaceutical companies in ASEAN countries. As for budget, it was thought to be important to set the amount in correlation with the activities of APSMI as well as to decide the way of collecting fee from the companies which belonging to the multinational companies and locating in different countries.
APSMI is scheduled to be established in this November at the WSMI-APRC held in Taiwan, Taipei through further perspiration of related country associations.
