Joint Statement by 6 Organizations For the proper understanding of information on health, medicine and pharmaceuticals

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March 28, 2018

Today, we live in the midst of a vast supply of information. It is not easy to find and utilize correct information that is truly useful for each of us.
In particular, in order to accurately understand information on health, medicine, and pharmaceuticals, we inevitably need basic knowledge of the relevant fields and the advice of experts. For the general public, it is very difficult to discern and select the correct information.

Medical care inevitably involves uncertainty. In addition, pharmaceuticals, no matter how good they are, always carry the risk of side effects. Within these limitations of medicine and pharmaceuticals, medical professionals are working with patients in their best interest.
In the past few years, I have frequently seen overstatements of risks and benefits and information that is not based on scientific evidence. Even though the optimal medical treatment is different for each individual, we see definitive statements in various media, such as "you should not take this drug" or "you should not have this surgery," as if they are generalizable facts.

Those of us who devote ourselves to our daily work and activities in the hope that patients will regain their health as soon as possible are greatly concerned and apprehensive about such a situation. In other words, since every patient's disease is entirely different, we must take into consideration the gender, age, degree of illness, cause, environment and history of the disease, and discuss the patient's complaints while fully listening to them, and the entire medical community, including physicians and pharmacists, must work together to treat the patient.
It would be a shame if the efforts of these medical professionals are undermined by information that does not take into account the "individual nature" of this medical treatment or by extremely simplistic expressions. We believe that patients would also have much to lose.

Although we differ in our positions and approaches, we are made up of individuals who practice or resonate with the principle of the World Medical Association's Declaration of Helsinki, which states that "physicians should act in the best interests of patients when providing medical care. We, the six organizations, have been thinking about what we can do for patients now, and hereby make this declaration and call for action.

Declaration and Call to Action

1. We are committed to spreading basic knowledge about medical care and pharmaceuticals.

To prevent patients suffering from illnesses from falling into unexpected situations at the mercy of unscientific or extreme information, we will cooperate to create materials that will enable them to acquire a wide range of basic knowledge, including how to read and understand information, as well as the uncertainties and individual nature of medical care.
These materials will be used in public lectures at events and academic conferences of related organizations and various events by local governments to continuously raise awareness. By utilizing existing mechanisms and materials, such as certification exams, together, we will assist individuals to ultimately choose a treatment plan that fits their symptoms and illnesses together with medical professionals and to deepen their understanding.

2. We will work to foster a common understanding of medical care and pharmaceuticals among all parties concerned.

We will continue to provide support to the educational field and plan and set up opportunities such as opinion-exchange meetings with the mass media, which will help to deepen understanding and mutual communication between the parties involved in medical care and pharmaceuticals.
In addition, to prevent the flood of scientifically inaccurate information, when we come across information that cannot be overlooked by related ministries, academic societies, medical associations, etc., we will promptly share the information among the parties concerned and make efforts to improve the quality of the information, while at the same time alerting the public.

3. We recommend the use of experts.

Family doctor: Doctors always consider the best treatment for each patient's individual symptoms. Please do not hesitate to consult your family doctor at any time about any concerns or trivial matters regarding your health. In addition to routine medical care, they can also refer you to specialized medical institutions when necessary. We urge you to have a family doctor you can trust and rely on before making your own judgments about information.
Family pharmacist: In addition to receiving consultations from patients about their medications and health and providing them with information, the family pharmacist is always close at hand to support them as a drug specialist so that they can receive safe and secure drug treatment. Pharmacists keep a summary of each person's medication status and make inquiries and suggestions as needed. Please rely on your family pharmacist before making your own judgments about information.

Committee Members

Chairperson
Satoshi Imamura Vice President, Japan Medical Association
Yasunori Tajiri Vice President, Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association
Yoko Hattori Chairperson, PMS Subcommittee, Pharmaceutical Evaluation Committee, Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association
Nakamasa Mizumaki Chairman, Japan Medical Journalists Association
Ikuko Yamaguchi President, COML Sasaiai Medical Human Rights Center, a certified NPO
Tatsuo Kurokawa General Inc. Japan Council for the Appropriate Use of Drugs Chairman of the Board of Directors

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