Topics Yamaguchi! Buchi Genki! ～The Story of Drugs You Wish You Knew More About" Open Recording
On February 1, 2020, KRY Yamaguchi Broadcasting Corporation (Shunan City, Yamaguchi Prefecture) held a public recording of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Japan's special program "Yamaguchi! Buchi Genki! ～The program was recorded in public on February 1, 2020 at the main hall of KRY Yamaguchi Broadcasting Corporation (Yamaguchi Shunan). Osteoporosis" was the theme of this year's program, which was attended by 142 viewers. In addition to providing information on treatments and new drugs for osteoporosis, the program provided an opportunity for the audience to learn about the value of new drugs and the proper use of pharmaceuticals, including Hagi City's efforts to realize Yamaguchi Prefecture's regional healthcare concept, the manufacturing site of drugs, and the importance of clinical trials. The recorded program will be broadcast on KRY Yamaguchi Broadcasting on March 21, 2020, and its contents can be viewed on the website of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Japan.
Stand signboard (at the entrance of the venue)
Yamaguchi! Buchi Genki! ～The story of drugs that you want to know more about
The Communication Promotion Subcommittee of the Public Relations Committee of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Japan (PAPJ) conducts public recordings and TV broadcasts in tie-ups with local TV stations to promote public understanding of the importance of R&D-oriented pharmaceutical companies and the social role played by new drugs.
The public recording for FY 2019 was held in the main hall of the Yamaguchi Broadcasting Center on February 1, 2020, in a tie-up with KRY Yamaguchi Broadcasting Corporation. In addition to Dr. Hiroshi Tanaka, Vice President of the Yamaguchi Prefectural General Medical Center, and Dr. Junko Koshiki, Executive Director of the Yamaguchi Pharmaceutical Association, guests on the day included Ms. Tomomi Nishimura, a TV personality from Yamaguchi Prefecture who is active nationally, and actor Taro Kawano, and from the Pharmaceutical Association, Mr. Junichi Onuma, Chairman of the Public Relations Committee, attended the event.
At the beginning of the program recording, Chairman Onuma explained the difference between "ethical drugs" and "over-the-counter drugs," that "ethical drugs" are classified into two categories, "new drugs" and "generic drugs," and that the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Japan is an organization whose members are R&D-oriented pharmaceutical companies that create new drugs.
Performers
Current situation in Yamaguchi Prefecture
He also introduced the fact that the examination rate for osteoporosis, one of the diseases caused by aging, is low, ranking 28th in Japan.
A bone densitometer was set up at the venue. The purpose of this event was to deepen interest in osteoporosis and the importance of medical checkups in extending healthy life expectancy by allowing visitors who wished to do so to actually take measurements.
Osteoporosis treatment and new drugs
A VTR from the Yamaguchi Prefectural General Medical Center was shown to provide a detailed introduction to osteoporosis, new osteoporosis drugs, and team medicine.
Osteoporosis is a disease in which bone density decreases due to aging, lack of estrogen (a female hormone), lack of exercise, and other factors, causing bone fractures. In the late 70s, fractures of the femoral neck are more common, and the risk of becoming bedridden due to the decline in general function increases as it takes time for patients to recover from surgery. He introduced the term "chain of fractures" for the consecutive fractures that occur due to osteoporosis, and that it is very important to stop this chain of fractures.
He also introduced that in order to stop the chain, it is important to build a body that does not fall over, and that drug therapy along with diet and exercise therapy are the mainstay of treatment, and that drugs for osteoporosis have been developed one after another, contributing greatly to the treatment of the disease.
Dr. Tanaka commented, "Recently, many drugs have been developed and the treatment of osteoporosis has changed significantly, but there is also the issue of patients stopping the drugs midway through the course of treatment at their own discretion. Since it takes time for the effects of drugs to manifest, it is important to face the disease patiently," he said, recommending that bone condition be checked at least once with a bone density test.
After the VTR, Chairman Onuma emphasized, "The development of many drugs has made it possible to use them according to the progress of individual symptoms, but drugs are effective under proper management, so we would like you to take them by following the instructions of your doctor or pharmacist.
Medical Treatment in Yamaguchi Prefecture
A VTR presentation was made on local medical efforts in Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
The percentage of the elderly over 65 years old in Hagi City is 39.6%, much higher than the national average, and with an increasing number of elderly people waiting for home visits, the Watanuki Clinic's efforts for community medical care were introduced.
Atsushi Watanuki, director of the clinic, said, "With no decrease in the number of elderly people waiting for treatment, there are limits to the manpower available for nursing and medical care, so it is essential to collaborate with other communities. In addition, information and support from pharmacists at outpatient pharmacies, who speak directly with patients on a daily basis, will be very important in the treatment of patients with drugs prescribed at the clinic. In the future, we would like to collaborate with the resident center, elementary school, and fire brigade to create a community healthcare system where the entire community supports each other," he commented.
Manufacture of Pharmaceuticals
This time, the tour covered Ono's Yamaguchi Plant, which was completed in July 2019, and the VTR introduced the production site for injectable drugs, which are manufactured under thorough hygienic management. It was also introduced that the Yamaguchi plant was built with business continuity in mind in addition to increasing production capacity, and that it plays an important role as a plant that can provide a stable supply not only in Japan but also on a global scale.
Pharmaceutical Q&A
Once again, the two guests and the audience participated in a quiz on the proper use of medicines. During the quiz, pharmacist Dr. Hashiki explained about the proper way to use medicines, including how to take medicines, which is familiar and beneficial.
Scene of the recording
About Clinical Trials
A VTR showing the contents of "clinical trials," which are indispensable for the development of new drugs, was prepared in cooperation with Yamaguchi University Hospital, a national university corporation. Dr. Takashi Kitahara, Director of the Pharmaceutical Department at the hospital, explained what a clinical trial is, and patients who actually participated in a clinical trial also appeared on the program. He also introduced the work of clinical trial coordinators, showing that clinical trials are only possible with the cooperation of many people.
The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Japan's Public Relations Activities" to promote a broader understanding of the pharmaceutical industry
To help the general public understand the pharmaceutical industry, the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Japan (PMAJ) conducts a public relations campaign every year to disseminate information about the industry and pharmaceuticals. Chair Onuma introduced that in FY 2019, a special website featuring Fuku Suzuki as an ambassador will be launched on the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Japan website, providing interviews with people working in the pharmaceutical industry and information on innovations in new drug development.
Closing Remarks
In closing, guest Ms. Nishimura commented, "I have always been interested in diseases, but this time I was able to learn a lot about drugs, which are important for their treatment," and Ms. Kawano said, "Drugs are taken when you get sick, so I want to make sure that I follow the dosage and administration.
Chair Onuma commented, "Drugs have played a major role in the treatment of various diseases and have contributed to people's health and well-being. In particular, the development of new drugs for diseases for which there have been no treatments in the past has given great hope to patients and their families. There are still many untapped disease areas, and the pharmaceutical industry will continue to actively incorporate new technologies, such as AI and big data, to develop new drugs that are of value to society," he said in his address, "Yamaguchi! Buchi Genki! ～The open recording of "Yamaguchi!
( Mitsuo Kezuka, Communications Promotion Subcommittee, Public Relations Committee)