The Pharmacy Division provides various important services such as controlling inventory; dispensing of drugs; preparing injections (including aseptic mixtures for chemotherapy); collecting and disseminating of drug information; therapeutic drug monitoring, managing, and checking of treatment regimens for chemotherapy; pharmaceutical care management and counseling; and managing investigational new drugs.
The main objectives of the division were decided this year, namely, (1) to provide chemotherapy based on evidence, and (2) to practice patient-oriented pharmaceutical care.
In 2006, the residents’ training course was launched, and in 2008, 7 residents were admitted to the Division. Presently, there are a total of 12 residents. Moreover, the Division accepted 15 trainees for oncology pharmaceutics in 2008.
Over the years, the services of the Pharmacy Division have extended further. Specifically, the Division has started pharmaceutical management and counseling services not only for chemotherapy using injections but also for oral anticancer drugs. A chemotherapy hot-line, which is a direct line for outpatients who are having problems with their chemotherapy, has also established. One pharmacist is always available to provide drug information for doctors and patients in the outpatient clinic. The Division has also started to check anticoagulants used by patients undergoing endoscopic mucosal resection. Furthermore, pharmacists in the Division have started reviewing the drugs taken by patients before and during admission.
The Division also tightened control of drugs and started using Phaseal® to better ensure safety. The Division also introduced the simple suspension method of tablets for nurses and patients who have dysphagia.
The Pharmacy Division closely cooperates with the Clinical Trial Unit, and has also improved the management of investigational new drugs.
● K. Endo ●
| 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | |
| Number of prescription Prepared in hospital pharmacy Total Inpatients Outpatients Taken to outside pharmacies (% of prescription filled outside) | 65,224 61,784 3,440 41,529 (92.40%) | 67,378 63,613 3,765 42,188 (91.80%) | 73,368 68,741 4,627 45,199 (90.70%) |
| Injections Total Inpatients Outpatients | 111,658 92,401 19,257 | 121,064 102,061 19,003 | 149,114 129,994 19,120 |
| Number of prescription Investigational new drugs | 1,778 | 2,157 | 2,247 |
| Aseptic preparation of injection mixture Anticancer drugs (others) | 20,237 (2,959) | 27,339 (3,600) | 33,077 (3,918) |
| Number of medication counseling (for inpatients) Patients (cases) | 2,140 (3,210) | 3,215 (4,219) | 4,376 (5,592) |
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