「医薬品等の回収情報」に関する調査・検討 法的規制と現状 安全性管理対策としての薬剤師の関わり

Abstract

The Ministry of Health and Welfare (the present, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) has begun to report the recall information of medical supplies (in short, recall information) on the home page of the pharmaceutical information provision by the Organization for Pharmaceutical Safety and Research since April 1 st, 2001. However, all recall information on the home page appears the day after the official publication. In case of medical devices in comparison to pharmaceuticals, it takes a longer time to be reported on the home page. However, such recall information is valuable, because it is the only information source, which medical institutions can obtain up-to-date information spontaneously.At Uwajima City Hospital, from May 2001, the pharmacists have participated in a safety management program regarding new medical devices or medical materials.In order to keep all medical materials safe, pharmacists check the recall information regularly and provide them to the clinical site for risk management. Not only the medical institutions but also the dealers have begun to make practical use of such recall information. However, no system for using such information has yet been established among them. According to the regulations of recall information, a contact system from the maker to the dealer has been established. However, the first information of medical devices is always obtained through the home page. The way to obtain the information has been changing.Needless to say, the “Internet” is nowadays the main media for the communications all over the world. Accurate information must be speedy and reliable. The rational use of such information on the Internet is therefore urgently needed.