Objective: With the Internet serving as a major source of medical information, the abundance of pharmaceutical content across media and digital platforms raises concerns about the impact of inappropriate or misleading information on public health. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive, practical evaluation indicator to assess the reliability and quality of pharmaceutical websites, targeting general consumers in Japan.Methods: We systematically reviewed existing domestic and international criteria for health information quality to develop evaluation indicators. Based on this review, a preliminary set of indicators was drafted and refined using a modified Delphi process involving six experts in pharmaceutical and medical communications. This process incorporated established frameworks, including the Health on the Net (HON) Code, JAMA Benchmarks, and the Japanese eHealth Ethics Code. A validated set of indicators was finalized after four iterative rounds of review and feedback.Results: The final tool comprises 16 evaluation items across three categories: (1) Screening Criteria (4 items), which eliminate websites with misleading content, public indecency, or political/religious affiliations; (2) Website Evaluation Criteria (5 items), assessing operational transparency, contact availability, advertisement distinction, and policy disclosure; and (3) Content Evaluation Criteria (7 items), addressing clarity, accuracy, update frequency, source citation, legal compliance, and balanced risk-benefit information. Each item was rated using a primarily binary (yes/no) scale with intermediate options, such as “partially applicable” or “not applicable.” The tool reflects expert consensus and complies with Japan’s ethical and regulatory standards.Conclusion: This tool facilitates the appropriate dissemination of pharmaceutical information and supports users in identifying trustworthy sources. By explicitly incorporating legal compliance and editorial transparency as evaluation criteria, it encourages higher standards among healthcare professionals and information providers, potentially improving the quality of pharmaceutical communication.

BACKGROUND: The Fujiwara-kyo Osteoporosis Risk in Men (FORMEN) study was launched to investigate risk factors for osteoporotic fractures, interactions of osteoporosis with other non-communicable chronic diseases, and effects of fracture on QOL and mortality. METHODS: FORMEN baseline study participants (in 2007 and 2008) included 2012 community-dwelling men (aged 65-93 years) in Nara prefecture, Japan. Clinical follow-up surveys were conducted 5 and 10 years after the baseline survey, and 1539 and 906 men completed them, respectively. Supplemental mail, telephone, and visit surveys were conducted with non-participants to obtain outcome information. Survival and fracture outcomes were determined for 2006 men, with 566 deaths identified and 1233 men remaining in the cohort at 10-year follow-up. COMMENTS The baseline survey covered a wide range of bone health-related indices including bone mineral density, trabecular microarchitecture assessment, vertebral imaging for detecting vertebral fractures, and biochemical markers of bone turnover, as well as comprehensive geriatric assessment items. Follow-up surveys were conducted to obtain outcomes including osteoporotic fracture, cardiovascular diseases, initiation of long-term care, and mortality. A complete list of publications relating to the FORMEN study can be found at https://www.med.kindai.ac.jp/pubheal/FORMEN/Publications.html .
Aged ; Bone Density ; Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology* ; Cohort Studies ; Geriatric Assessment ; Humans ; Independent Living ; Japan/epidemiology* ; Long-Term Care/statistics & numerical data* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis/etiology* ; Osteoporotic Fractures/etiology* ; Risk Factors