Objective: The collection and utilization of adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports are essential in pharmacovigilance activities. Healthcare professionals, especially pharmacists, are required to report ADRs to the regulatory authorities in Japan. The ability of pharmacists to identify ADRs, assess causality and severity, and submit ADR reports is of utmost importance. This study aimed to investigate the current status and challenges of education regarding ADR reporting in pharmacy schools in Japan. Design: A cross-sectional survey. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was conducted among faculty members of 77 pharmacy schools in Japan to assess the implementation of ADR reporting system education. A separate survey was conducted among hospital and community pharmacists to understand ADR reporting-related training provided during practical training. The questionnaire included items on implementing ADR-related lectures and practical training, characteristics and innovations in such education, and opinions on ADR reporting education. Results: Responses were obtained from 48 pharmacy schools (response rate: 62%). The implementation rates for lectures on the ADR reporting system and ADR causality assessment were 94 and 83%, respectively, typically conducted in the 3rd or 4th year. However, the implementation rate for training on completing ADR reporting forms was only 38%, with 61% of these schools providing practical exercises. The survey of hospital and community pharmacists (n=22) revealed that 82% provided training on completing ADR reporting forms, often using case studies or simulated scenarios. Conclusion: The survey found that pharmacy schools offer lectures on ADR reporting, but there isa need for practical training to improve pharmacists’ ability to report ADRs. To enhance pharmacists’ skills in this area, there should be more collaboration between schools and training sites, and comprehensive educational programs and lifelong learning opportunities should be developed.

BACKGROUND: Although the postpartum period is suggested to provide an ideal opportunity for interventions to prevent hazardous drinking, evidence on the associations of education and income with hazardous drinking during this period is limited, including in Japan. METHODS: We analyzed data from 11,031 women who participated in the Tohoku Medical Megabank Project Birth and Three-Generation Cohort Study in Japan. Hazardous drinking was defined as ethanol intake of ≥20 g/day 1 year after delivery. We conducted multiple logistic regression analyses to examine whether educational attainment or equivalent household income was associated with hazardous drinking, adjusting for age, parity, drinking status during pregnancy, work status, postpartum depression, breastfeeding, and income/education. We also conducted stratified analyses by income and education groups. RESULTS: The prevalence of hazardous drinking 1 year after delivery was 3.6%. Lower education was associated with hazardous drinking; the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of high school education or lower compared with university education or higher was 2.17 (1.59-2.98). Lower income was also associated with hazardous drinking, but this association disappeared after further adjustments for education; the odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of the lowest compared with highest level of income were 1.42 (1.04-1.94) and 1.12 (0.81-1.54), respectively. A significant interaction was detected; lower education and lower income were associated with increased risks of hazardous drinking only in a lower income group and lower education group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Postpartum women with lower education and lower income had higher risks of hazardous drinking in Japan.
Adult ; Alcohol Drinking/psychology* ; Cohort Studies ; Educational Status ; Female ; Humans ; Income/statistics & numerical data* ; Japan/epidemiology* ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: To examine changes in psychological distress prevalence among pregnant women in Miyagi Prefecture, which was directly affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, and compare it with the other, less damaged areas of Japan. METHODS: This study was conducted in conjunction with the Japan Environment and Children`s Study. We examined 76,152 pregnant women including 8270 in Miyagi Regional Center and 67,882 in 13 other regional centers from the all-birth fixed data of the Japan Environment and Children's Study. We then compared the prevalence and risk of distress in women in Miyagi Regional Center and women in the 13 regional centers for 3 years after the disaster. RESULTS: Women in the Miyagi Regional Center suffered more psychological distress than those in the 13 regional centers: OR 1.38 (95% CI, 1.03-1.87) to 1.92 (95% CI, 1.42-2.60). Additionally, women in the inland area had a consistently higher prevalence of psychological distress compared to those from the 13 regional centers: OR 1.67 (95% CI, 1.18-2.38) to 2.19 (95% CI, 1.60-2.99). CONCLUSIONS The lack of pre-disaster data in the Japan Environment and Children's Study made it impossible to compare the incidence of psychological distress before and after the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. However, 3 years after the Great East Japan Earthquake, the prevalence of pregnant women with psychological distress did not improve in Miyagi Regional Center. Further, the prevalence of mental illness in inland areas was consistently higher than that in the 13 regional centers after the disaster.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Disasters ; Earthquakes ; Female ; Humans ; Japan/epidemiology* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications/psychology* ; Pregnant Women/psychology* ; Prevalence ; Psychological Distress ; Tsunamis ; Young Adult