Objective: Pharmacists deliver medicines that require refrigeration directly to patients’ homes for home medical care or due to supply shortages. However, there are no investigations into the delivery of medicines under appropriate temperature control. Therefore, we conducted a questionnaire survey regarding the delivery of cold-stored pharmaceuticals and considered packaging methods for medicines that would enable appropriate temperature control based on the results. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted at 86 pharmacies between January 25 and March 31, 2019. Subsequently, we measured the surface temperature of the medicine (InnoLet® 30R Injection) using a cold bag and ice pack. Results: We received responses from 79 pharmacies. The questionnaire survey revealed that 44% (35 pharmacies) delivered medicines needing refrigeration directly to patients’ homes, and of those, 43% (15 pharmacies) expressing concerns about temperature control during delivery. Additionally, based on a reproduction experiment using the packaging method confirmed in the questionnaire survey (using a cold bag, 0 to 4 ice packs, and an outside temperature of 28℃), the lowest storage temperature (mean±SD) of InnoLet® was 18.8±0.3℃ for zero ice packs, 18.0±0.3℃ for one ice pack, 12.7±0.1℃ for two ice packs, and −0.2±0.3℃ for four ice packs. Thus, the storage temperature of InnoLet® was outside the range of 2-8℃. Therefore, we improved the packaging method to maintain the proper storage temperature by using bubble wrap and paper wiper (Kim Towels®) in 10-45℃ weather conditions. Conclusion: In this study, we discovered the packaging method of medicines to maintain the proper storage temperature (2-8℃) in 10-45℃ weather conditions. Applying the temperature-based packaging method studied in this paper to actual pharmacy operations will ensure the quality of pharmaceuticals that require refrigeration, contribute to ensuring their efficacy and safety, and help ensure delivery. This is expected to alleviate pharmacists’ concerns regarding temperature control of medicines.

Objective: To keep medical costs down, it is important to promote the use of generic drugs at pharmacies, where prescription volumes are high. However, many parents do not opt for generic drugs. This study examines the effectiveness of pharmacists’ explanations to parents, with the aim of promoting the use of generic drugs among young patients under the age of 20.Method: A questionnaire-based survey was conducted from November 25 to December 1, 2019, at 129 pharmacies.Results: During the survey period, 91 pharmacies received 4,491 prescriptions from young patients. The percentage of generic drugs dispensed per prescription was lower for the young patients than for adult patients (65.4% vs. 70.4%; p < 0.001). Statistically, the percentage of prescriptions dispensed using generic drugs was higher in pharmacies that explained costs, equivalence of quality and efficacy, safety, side effects, and the trial system (divided dispensing), compared to pharmacies that did not use these explanations. Conversely, the percentage of prescriptions dispensed using generic drugs was lower at pharmacies that explained dosage form and ease of swallowing. Many pharmacies explained the equivalence of quality and efficacy (85.7%), with many questions from parents (82.4%). However, only a few pharmacies explained the trial system (divided dispensing) (1.1%), with no questions raised by parents (0.0%).Conclusion: This study found that pharmacists’ explanations are effective in promoting the use generic drugs for young patients. However, there is a lack of awareness among parents about the trial system (divided dispensing), and public institutions and pharmacists are not responding appropriately. To promote generic drug usage among young patients, it is important to develop educational tools regarding the trial system (divided dispensing), create awareness campaigns for parents, and revise medical fee. Furthermore, to ensure safe drug therapy, pharmacists should also provide information on the appearance and taste of generic drugs.

Objective: The proportion of young patients in Japan in whom generic drugs are used is lower than that of other age groups. To promote the use of generic drugs in young patients, we need to change the parents’ attitude toward generic drugs. Therefore, we aimed to contribute to the maintenance and reform of the Japanese social security system by investigating the effects of parent’s sex, patient’s age, and use of the children’s medical expense subsidy system on the selection of generic drugs. Method: We surveyed parents of young patients (<20 years) whose prescriptions were filed at pharmacies from November 25 to December 1, 2019. Results: Of the 712 valid questionnaires retrieved, 74.3% of parents reported using generic drugs for young patients. Approximately 92.2% of the parents reported using the children’s medical expense subsidy system. The highest (51.4%) reason for switching to generics was “recommendation from a pharmacist, etc.” Cognitive methods using online content were higher among male parents than among female parents (28.0% vs. 11.5% ; P<0.001). Regarding catchphrases that make them want to hear, female parents were more likely to hear about generic drugs than male parents were if the catchphrases quality and safety were used (38.1% vs. 23.8% ; P＝0.007). Compared to parents of 7-19-year old children (6.8%), parents of 0-6-year old children (13.1%) reportedly switched to generic drugs because they were easier to ingest (P＝0.022). Conclusion: Recommendations from medical professionals such as pharmacists are effective in convincing parents of young patients to switch to generic drug use. To promote the use of generic drugs in young patients, in addition to explaining and publicizing its financial benefits, pharmacists need to explain the added value of generic drugs such as the ingenuity of its dosage form. In addition, it is essential to adopt a multifaceted approach that considers the parents’ background including (1) publicity using the internet for male parents, (2) reaching out to female parents with preschool children, (3) increasing publicity using tickets for children’s medical expenses subsidy system, and (4) drug education that matches the growth of children.