E-drug: Essential drugs in Tokyo University
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In Japan, not so many Japanese MDs know of the EDL.
And the needs for EDL in Japanese clinical settings are quite
controversial because Japan can afford many expensive
drugs. But nowadays, the budget for drugs is shortening,
and the MHW,the Ministry of Health and Welfare in Japan,
wants to reduce the amount of consumption of drugs in
Japan. But MHW won't make Japanese essential drug list
because of many complicated political reasons.(ie;Pressure
of drug companies, medical doctor's association, academies
etc.)
In Japan, many basic drugs are ceased to be produced
by drug manufacturer and they called "the orphan drugs".
So some of drugs in EDL are not distributed in Japan.
Note that drugs in the essential drug list by WHO is NOT
basic drugs in Japan.
Most of Japanese patients can get access to any kind of
remedies, and can afford any kind of drugs if they
are approved by the proper authority(ie MHW in Japan).
But surely as Dr.Wilbert Bannenberg said, Japanese consumption
of drug is so huge and I think those consumption of drug
is needless and harmful to Japanese.
One of my acquaintances is now translating the 10th EDL to
Japanese and will be published in November 1999, but
I suppose the impact of the translation will be very small.
Because the more drugs consumed, the more hospitals earn.
That is traditional Japanese style of drug policy. But we Japanese
must change it.
Regards
Saio
"It is a fundamental right that when any one gets ill,
they must have access to safe and effective treatment"
Saio,Takeo MD.
Ando Hospital,Japan
72-1,Hanike Karausu-cho,Tsushima,496-0026,Japan
Tel;+81-567-31-4070 FAX;+81-567-32-1482
saio@ppp.bekkoame.ne.jp
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