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Ninety percent of the crude drugs consumed in Japan depend on imports. Recently, the Japanese government has been promoting the domestic production of crude drugs. We investigated the history and current situation of the cultivation of medicinal plants and the production of crude drugs in the Tohoku region, where the 71st annual meeting of the Japan Society for Oriental Medicine was held in August 2021. In the Tohoku region, the cultivation of medicinal plants expanded after the Kyoho era of the Edo period. Several medicinal plants in this region have been successfully cultivated and distributed as local specialty products and are being preserved (e.g., Panax ginseng in Aizu, Carthamus tinctorius in Dewa). In some other areas, cultivation has just begun. In each cultivation area, a contractual relationship was established in which local governments, cultivation experts, farmers, Kampo-related associations, and pharmaceutical companies collaborated to continue and expand the cultivation business. To generate revenue, they have been trying to find sales channels not only for crude drugs but also for foods, cosmetics, textiles, and processed products. Although many issues remain to be solved in the distribution of medicinal plants as the source of crude drugs, this survey clarified the ingenuity of medicinal plant cultivation in various areas of the Tohoku region. The results of the investigation are available as videos on the website for members of the Japan Society for Oriental Medicine.
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Background: Consideration of cultural aspects is important in medical care. We explored regional differences in cancer and palliative care among Okinawa, Tohoku, and Tokyo metropolitan area. Methods: We conducted a questionnaire survey of physicians involved in cancer medicine from September to November 2020. A total of 11 items related to physician experiences were rated using a 5-point Likert-type scale. Results: Responses were received from 553 physicians (187 in Okinawa, 219 in Tohoku, 147 in the Tokyo metropolitan area). In Okinawa, “When patients die, it is important that all family members are present at the last moment,” “Patients/family members primarily consult the elders of the family about the medical treatments,” “Family members hope the patients die at home, because the soul will not return when they die at the hospital,” “Patients/family members get advice from religious advisors about the medical treatments,” and “Family members wish to take the patient home when he/she is about to die and to confirm death at home” were significantly more frequently observed. In Tohoku, “Patients wish to be hospitalized at a specific season” was significantly more frequently reported. In Tohoku and Okinawa, “Patients hide cancer from neighbors and relatives” and “Elderly patients do not want treatment, because they cover the living expenses and education expenses for their children and grandchildren.” were significantly more frequently experienced. Conclusion: There are regional differences in cancer and palliative care in Japan. Being sensitive to the culture of the region is needed.
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<b>Objective: </b>This study aimed to enhance Drug Information Practice Experiences (DIPE) in Japan by comparing DIPEs at Tohoku University Hospital (TUH) with Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in the United States, and propose an advanced model of drug information (DI) education in Japan.<br><b>Methods: </b>We performed the following: (i) comparison of both DIPEs based on Model Core Curriculum (MCC) content; (ii) identification of practices which were not part of NSU or TUH DIPE; (iii) comparison of students’ DIPE performance based on MCC: (A) students’ performance without the preceptors and their post-performance approval, (A’) students’ performance without the preceptors and their pre-performance approval, and (B) students’ performance under direct preceptor supervision; (iv) highlighting differences between TUH and NSU DIPEs; and (v) proposing an advanced model of DI education in Japan.<br><b>Results: </b>(i) The NSU DIPE is similar to the MCC. An example difference between NSU and TUH learning strategies was that NSU students responded to the inquiries made by the phone whereas TUH students receive assignments and explanation from preceptors. (ii) DIPE at NSU utilized oral presentations and student interaction in many forms (e.g. journal club, reflection regarding learned topics). On the other hand, DIPE at TUH helped students learn about Medical Representative jobs and educated them in tablet/capsule identification practices. (iii) In contrast, the TUH curriculum limits students’ performance to “experience via dissemination with health professional needs and patients’ needs”. (iv) These clarified points are considered to be differences between DIPE at TUH and NSU. (v) Following analysis of these points, an advanced model of DI education based on responses to DI phone inquiries and oral presentations including a journal club was proposed.<br><b>Conclusions: </b>This study will contribute to improving DI education in Japan.
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We would like to report on the treatment of 15 patients with floating sensation after the Great East Japan Earthquake (2011 Tohoku Earthquake) in 2011.Twelve cases were effectively treated with hangekobokuto, while two cases were effectively treated with hangebyakujutsutemmato, but not with hangekobokuto.One case was effectively treated with ryokeijutsukanto. We discuss how to treat this floating sensation, focusing on the usage of hangekobokuto.<BR>Most patients who were successfully treated with hangekobokuto reported an uneasy feeling with a floating sensation. On the other hand, those who were successfully treated with hangebyakujutsutemmato or ryokeijutsukanto did not feel uneasy, but reported vertigo and upset stomach.Upon abdominal examination, epigastric resistance was frequently observed in the patients treated with hangekobokuto.This resistance decreased as the floating sensation was improved.<BR>Our results indicate that hangekobokuto could be efficacious for patients with floating sensation after an earthquake, who also felt uneasy and showed epigastric resistance upon abdominal examination.