Activities of the Pharmaceuticals Consultation Service
This page introduces the activities of the JPMA Consumer Consultation Review Committee in a Q&A format, with the aim of making the activities of the "Corporate Pharmaceuticals Consultation Service" widely known.
The JPMA Consumer Consultation Review Committee, an organization within the JPMA, has been working since 1995 to promote the proper use of pharmaceuticals, contribute to the realization of patient-participatory medicine, improve the reliability of pharmaceutical companies, and contribute to drug development.
Q&A with the Corporate Pharmaceutical Consultation Service
Q1: When did the Corporate Pharmaceutical Consultation Service start?
The consultation service for pharmaceuticals was established by the final report of the "Advisory Committee on Drugs for the 21st Century" (1993), and the "Consumer Drugs Consultation Office" was established in the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (now the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency: PMDA) to provide patients and the general public with drug information and to improve the consultation system. (now the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA)), the Consumer Drugs Consultation Office was established at prefectural pharmacists' associations and companies.
Q2. What kind of people consult with the Corporate Pharmaceutical Consultation Service?
Various people use the Pharmaceutical Consultation Office, including patients and the general public, pharmacists, distributors, agents, wholesalers, medical staff*, and physicians.
In 2017, inquiries from pharmacists accounted for 75% of the total number of inquiries.
- *Medical staff are medical personnel such as nurses, assistant nurses, public health nurses, midwives, and care workers.
Percentage of inquiries by consultants regarding ethical drugs in FY17
- *The number of inquiries was about 136,000/month.
Questionnaire on the status of the pharmaceutical consultation counter system and response
Target: JPMA member companies Number of responding companies: 63/67
Survey period: August 3-24, 2018
Q3. What knowledge and skills are required of consultants at the Corporate Pharmaceutical Consultation Service?
In order to provide appropriate answers at the Pharmaceuticals Consultation Service, consultation staff are striving to acquire the following knowledge and improve their skills.
Up-to-date knowledge
- Introduction to Pharmaceuticals
- Knowledge of our products
- Knowledge of diseases
- Knowledge of regulatory/industry rules
- Other knowledge such as mastery of information tools
Skills
| Communication skills | Listening Skills
Questioning Skills Speaking Skills |
|---|---|
| Information management skills | Information Retrieval Skills
Information Gathering Skills Organizing Skills |
Policy of the Pharmaceuticals Consultation Service."
Q4. Can I ask questions to the Pharmaceuticals Consultation Service other than by phone?
The Pharmaceutical Consultation Service accepts inquiries not only by phone, but also by website form, e-mail, fax, etc. The method of inquiry differs somewhat, depending on each company. Please check the "Contact Us" section of the company's website.
In recent years, the medical environment surrounding pharmaceutical consultation services has been rapidly changing, with the spread of the Internet, the use of IT for pharmaceutical information, the super-aging society, the spread of generic drugs, and the system of family pharmacists and pharmacies, etc. Companies have been making efforts to provide a variety of information on their websites.
Q5. What kind of questions can the Pharmaceuticals Consultation Service answer?
In principle, each company will answer questions regarding the safety and efficacy of their pharmaceutical products. Please contact the company of each product. Please note that the information is not intended to provide medical advice on individual patients' diseases or treatment methods.
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Q6. How satisfied are you with the response of the Pharmaceuticals Consultation Service?
According to the results of an online survey (*1) conducted by JPMA in 2018, 91.1% of those who used the Pharmaceutical Consultation Service were satisfied (*2) with the service. The most common reason given by those who used the Pharmaceutical Consultation Service was that "pharmaceutical companies have sufficient information regarding drug consultation (68.9%)," and the main inquiries were "indications/effects," "how to take," and "ingredients/characteristics.
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112th Annual Survey of Sei-katsu-sha Attitudes Toward Drugs and the Pharmaceutical Industry (conducted in 2018)
The survey covered 2,000 men and women aged 20 and over (excluding medical professionals, pharmaceutical company employees, etc.). -
2Ratio of "very satisfied" + "fairly satisfied" total
Response satisfaction of those who used the Pharmaceuticals Consultation Service (18/17/16, 3-year comparison)
Satisfaction rates for the last three years have remained high at 91.1% (2006), 89.8% (2005), and 91.1% (2004).