RESUMEN
This study was conducted to assess the proper fee for dispensing herbs prescribed under the national health insurance. We investigated the cost of dispensing a) general medicine and b) Kampo formulae in relation to the time needed in three pharmacies. One prescription of general medicine including packed extract of Kampo formulae, and one Kampo formula consisting of different kinds of herbs, were counted as one sample each. The former counted 125 samples, and 176 samples of the latter. The mean time for dispensing one sample of Kampo formulae was 9 minutes and 33 seconds, and it was 5.4 times longer than for the general medicine (1 minute and 46 seconds). The time for dispensing herbs grew longer as the days of the prescription increased; with a mean number of 9-12 herbs in the formulae about twice the time was needed for a prescription for 22-28 days than for one of 8-14 days. As the number of herbs in the formulae increased, the time for dispensing them also increased. The cost of pharmacist's work was calculated based upon the time expended and the pharmacist's hourly wage. It amounted to one fifth of the fee for dispensing general medicine, but it was nearly equal or higher when involving herbs. According to the <i>Regulation of Dispensary Awards</i> revised in 2004, the fee for dispensing herbal medicine is \1200 whatever the formulae. We would like to recommend that a re-evaluation of the fee should be made based on the number of days of the prescription, the number of herbs in the formulae, and the cost of preserving herbs in pharmaceutical facilities.