Journal of Pharmaceutical Health Care and Sciences最新文献

Background: A workforce of foreign workers, mainly from Southeast Asia (SEA), is increasing because of an aging society and a declining birthrate. However, there are a few hospitals that can accept them. In this study, we evaluated whether SEA persons can understand medication-related information translated from Japanese into SEA languages using Google Translate.

Methods: The study was a questionnaire survey of simulated cases. Information on simulated cases in Japanese was translated into each target language using Google Translate. We set the answer to the questionnaire based on the simulated cases. Participants' backgrounds and answers to the questionnaire were aggregated for each target language and category.

Results: The participants were 24 people from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Burma. Comprehension outcomes differed across medications and information types. While understanding of main effects and side effects was generally adequate, comprehension of medication usage was limited, particularly for loxoprofen, with substantial variation across language groups.

Conclusions: It's challenging to communicate medical information accurately to the SEA patients when relying solely on Google Translate. Therefore, we may need to provide medication guidance orally to improve and enhance medication-related information, even if we cannot speak SEA languages.

Background: This study examined pharmaceutical needs in the subacute phase following the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, using dispensed prescriptions as a proxy. We described demand patterns, the dispensing timeline amid early shortages, and the alignment between observed requirements and four disaster medicine lists.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of prescriptions dispensed in disaster-affected areas of Japan (primarily Suzu City) between January 7 and 13, 2024. A total of 236 prescriptions were included and categorized into major therapeutic classes. We separated regular prescriptions from as-needed (pro re nata, PRN) prescriptions. The dispensing interval was defined as the number of days from prescription issuance to dispensing. Coverage was calculated by comparing dispensed medicines against four disaster medicine lists, including the Japanese Medical Association Team (JMAT) Carry-on Medicine List.

Results: Cardiovascular, central nervous system, and gastrointestinal drugs were the most commonly prescribed medicines. Early shortages delayed dispensing until wholesale supplies resumed on January 11. Regular and PRN prescriptions accounted for 41.9% and 53.8% of all prescriptions, respectively. However, PRN prescriptions were dispensed in fewer days. Coverage of the four disaster medicine lists ranged from 41.8% to 65.9%, with the highest coverage for the JMAT Carry-on Medicine List.

Conclusions: This study clarified the characteristics of pharmaceutical needs in Suzu City during the subacute phase, albeit within a limited scope based on the activities of specific medical support teams. Observed pharmaceutical requirements only partially overlapped with existing lists. Portable medicine lists, regional stockpiles, and local formularies tailored to community needs could improve responsiveness. Interim measures, such as temporary services and mobile support, helped bridge the gap in medicine access before supply chain recovery. In this setting, mobile pharmacy vehicles potentially played a central role until normal distribution resumed. These data can inform future disaster medicine planning.

Background: Nudge strategies are well-established in behavioral economics as effective approaches for promoting desirable behaviors. However, the potential benefits of integrating nudge-based strategies into pharmacist-led patient education have not yet been demonstrated. Here, we present a study protocol for an interventional trial to address this issue.

Methods: The PHARM-NUDGE study is a multicenter, randomized, parallel-group, single-blind, controlled trial prospectively designed to evaluate whether nudge-based pharmacist-led education can promote patients' preventive behaviors against skin toxicities associated with cancer chemotherapy. The key inclusion criteria are as follows: (1) patients who are men or women and aged 18 years or older and (2) patients scheduled to receive a chemotherapy regimen containing capecitabine, liposomal doxorubicin, lenvatinib, cetuximab, or panitumumab in outpatient chemotherapy units or during hospitalization. The enrolled patients are randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to the nudge-based education or standard education groups. Pharmacists responsible for patient education utilize special educational tools that incorporate nudge strategies and provide skincare education to patients assigned to the nudge-based education group. Patients assigned to the standard education group receive skincare education with equivalent content but without nudges. The primary endpoint is the proportion of patients in each group who achieve four or more of the five predefined behavioral criteria.

Conclusions: The PHARM-NUDGE study is the first randomized controlled trial to evaluate the potential benefits of integrating nudge strategies into pharmacist-led skincare education for patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy with a high risk of skin toxicity, with patient enrollment initiated on October 15, 2025. Completion of the trial and acquisition of the final results are eagerly anticipated.

Trial registration: This trial was registeredwith the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (clinical trial number: jRCT1040250089, registration date: September 3, 2025).

Background: Postoperative nausea and vomiting can be a serious issue in reducing caloric intake for patients in the early stage after surgery. In Japan, ondansetron injection is now approved by insurance as a countermeasure against postoperative nausea and vomiting, but the number of reports on its effects regarding caloric intake is limited in the early stage following surgery, and opinions about the effects are divided. Thus, we examined how the effects of ondansetron administration during surgery influence caloric intake starting the day after surgery.

Methods: We examined 65 patients who received a 4mg injection of ondansetron during gynecological surgery under epidural anesthesia, in comparison to 51 patients who did not receive any antiemetic. Our study was to compare the amount of caloric intake the day after surgery.

Results: The patient group who received an ondansetron injection showed higher caloric intake (1364.1 ± 55.9 vs 1188.3 ± 63.1 kcal; ANCOVA, p = 0.045). A significant increase in caloric intake was observed in patients with an Apfel Score of 3 (807 ± 62 vs 593 ± 76 kcal; p = 0.031).

Conclusions: Our study indicated that ondansetron administration during gynecological surgery may have a positive effect on increasing postoperative caloric intake one day after surgery.