Topics The "Oraho no Kenko" (Oraho's Health) Oraho's Health Protected by Pharmaceuticals: Ten Years after the Earthquake and Countermeasures for Infectious Diseases" (Japanese only) JPMA special program TV Iwate
On February 6, 2021, a special JPMA program, "From Iwate: Oraho's Health Protected by Medicines: Ten Years after the Earthquake and Tsunami," was recorded at TV-Iwate's studios (Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture and Chuo-ku, Tokyo)! Oraho's Health Protected by Medicines: Ten Years after the Earthquake and the Need for Countermeasures against Infectious Diseases" was recorded at TV Iwate's studios (Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture and Chuo-ku, Tokyo) on February 6, 2021. This time, due to the new coronavirus infection countermeasures, the program was recorded without any audience, with a two-way broadcast connecting the studios of TV-Iwate in Morioka City and Tokyo. The program provided an opportunity for the audience to learn about the value of new drugs and the proper use of medicines, including the importance of clinical trials and the manufacturing process of medicines, while communicating the measures against infectious diseases and the value of new medicines. The recorded program will be broadcast on TV Iwate on February 27, 2021, and can be viewed on the JPMA website.
Recording of the program
From Iwate! Protecting Oraho's Health with Pharmaceuticals: 10 Years after the Earthquake and Countermeasures for Infectious Diseases
The Communication Promotion Subcommittee of the JPMA's Public Affairs Committee conducts public recordings and TV broadcasts in partnership with local TV stations to promote public understanding of the importance of R&D-oriented pharmaceutical companies and the role that new drugs play in society.
Unlike previous years, the recording for FY2020 was conducted in a two-way, unviewed broadcast between Morioka City and TV-Iwate's studio in Tokyo, in order to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. The guests for the program were Dr. Shigeru Sakurai, Professor of Iwate Medical University, Dr. Takako Kanazawa, Vice President of Iwate Pharmaceutical Association, Ms. Kayoko Takahashi, a freelance announcer from Morioka City, and Mr. Yuta Watanabe, an actor and TV personality, in the Tokyo studio.
At the beginning of the program recording, Chairperson 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 JPMA is an organization whose members are R&D-oriented pharmaceutical companies that create new drugs.
Lessons learned from the 10 years since the earthquake
A VTR presentation was given on the disaster medical treatment scene at the time of the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011 and the efforts leading up to the present day. Dr. Yoshihito Nakata of Nakata Pharmacy in Kamaishi City, Iwate Prefecture, explained about the medical treatment scene at the time of the earthquake, saying, "Patients had great difficulty in finding out what medicines they were taking because their medicine booklets were swept away by the tsunami caused by the earthquake, and they could not clearly remember the names of the medicines they had been taking. He also explained about the medical scene at the time of the earthquake.
Dr. Hiromi Hatazawa, Chairman of the Iwate Pharmaceutical Association, also spoke about the medical scene at the time of the earthquake, saying, "In the past 10 years, the role of pharmacists has expanded to the point where they follow up with patients after providing them with medicines. The role of pharmacists has changed over the past 10 years to the point where they now follow up on patients after providing them with drugs, providing medication guidance and follow-up, and even providing home guidance. In addition, it is expected that electronic medication registers will play an active role in many situations in the future," he said.
After the VTR, Chairperson Onuma said, "As a lesson learned from the earthquake, JPMA recognizes the importance of cooperation with local communities, including medical associations, pharmacy associations, and hospitals in emergency situations, and has developed a disaster response manual as a JPMA and is still preparing for effective responses.
Infectious disease countermeasures based on the new coronavirus
He introduced countermeasures against infectious diseases with a VTR of Iwate Medical University Hospital and other hospitals.
Dr. Sakurai commented on future countermeasures against infectious diseases, saying, "March and April are the season of personnel transfers and new enrollment, so there will be increased opportunities for contact in various situations, such as greeting people. In such cases, the key point is to reduce contact opportunities as much as possible, such as by remote handling, while firmly adhering to the basics such as masks and hand washing. In addition, although it is said that young people are often asymptomatic, there is a possibility of sequelae, and there is absolutely nothing good about being infected with a new type of coronavirus. It is important that we continue our current efforts to prevent infection in the future.
Chairperson Onuma explained that the member companies of the JPMA are working diligently to research and develop safe and effective therapeutic drugs and vaccines, and that the JPMA website provides a summary of member companies' efforts against new-type coronavirus infection.
Clinical Trials Essential for New Drug Development
A VTR prepared with the cooperation of the General Hanamaki Hospital introduced the "clinical trial," which is essential for the development of new drugs. Dr. Kimiaki Yarisawa, Director of the Department of Neurology at the hospital, and Dr. Yuji Sato, Director of the Pharmacy at the same hospital, gave an Explanation of what a clinical trial is.
Dr. Sato also explained that if there were no clinical trials, the same treatment would continue for a long time. I don't know if the same treatment will really improve the disease. I hope that good new drugs will be introduced to the world so that they can be utilized in the treatment of patients.
Pharmaceutical Q&A
A quiz on the proper use of drugs was conducted. In the quiz, Dr. Kanazawa gave an Explanation on the proper way to deal with medicines, including how to take them.
Quiz
Drug Manufacturing
This time, the participants covered Shionogi Pharma's Kanegasaki Plant, where a VTR showed that pharmaceutical products are manufactured under strict control and that measures are being taken to ensure a stable supply of high-quality pharmaceutical products even in the event of a prolonged power outage, based on the experience of the Great East Japan Earthquake.
JPMA's Public Relations Activities" to promote a broad understanding of the pharmaceutical industry
Chairperson Onuma explained that the JPMA's Public Affairs Committee is actively engaged in information dissemination through the JPMA's website, holding TV symposiums like this one, and providing information through newspapers, magazines, and other publications to help the general public understand the pharmaceutical industry.
Concluding Remarks
In closing, Mr. Takahashi, a guest, commented, "There were times when I did not finish taking my medication, but I want to follow the dosage and administration properly," and Mr. Watanabe said, "I think it is important for the family to understand what kind of medication the patient is taking.
Chairperson 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 was no cure has given great hope to patients and their families. In the long history of mankind, we have also contributed to the conquest of various diseases. However, there are still disease areas where there is no cure or where treatment satisfaction is low. This has been highlighted once again by the emergence of new coronavirus infections. The pharmaceutical industry will continue to actively incorporate new technologies, such as AI and big data, and will continue to push forward with the research and development of new drugs that are valuable to society," he said in his opening remarks! Oraho's Health Protected by Medicines: Ten Years after the Earthquake and Countermeasures against Infectious Diseases" ended.
( Ken Sakai, Public Affairs Committee, Communication Promotion Subcommittee)