Introduction of Pharmacy Section

Medication given at the hospital is important in curing the patient's illness. However, if it is used incorrectly, not only will we not see the desired effects, but there may be unexpected side effects that could, in some cases, have serious　consequences.

We urge patients to take their medication properly, according to the doctor's instructions. They can confer with their doctor or pharmacist if there is something they don't understand.

Below is the description of the Pharmacy Section operations.

1.Preparation of Drugs

A.Preparation of oral and external medication
(topical medication, adhesive medical patches)

A pharmacist prepares each patient's medication as prescribed by the doctor.

HIBMC has adopted an electronic medical filing system. When the doctor inputs the patient's prescription from the examination room, this prescription is outputted at the Pharmacy Section.

A pharmacist checks the prescription , including such directions as how to take the medication, how to use the medication, its quantity, and the interaction effect of its use with other medications, and, if any doubts are raised, inquiries are made to the prescribing doctor. Then the medication is prepared according to the prescription.

Depending upon what is appropriate for the condition of the patient, the medication may be packed according to time taken and tablets may be crushed into a powdered form.


　For outpatients, when we dispense the medication at the window, where we explain the effect of the medication, how to take or use it, the quantity, and major side effects. We also provide a note for the patient, "An Explanation of Your Medication."

B.Preparation of Injection Drugs

A pharmacist checks the contents of the injection medication prescribed by the doctor to see whether its quantity and use are appropriate, checks for any possible drug interactions in combination with other medications that will necessitate changes, and makes inquiries to the prescribing doctor if there are any questions or concerns raised before preparing the injection drugs for each use according to the prescription.

2.Explanation of Medication to Inpatients

When delivering medication to the bedside of inpatients, we give an explanation of medication that is currently prescribed. We explain the effect of the medication, how to take or use it, the quantity and its main side effects. We also answer any questions or let the patients address concerns that they may have about the medication, to relieve their anxiety about their medication so that they are more comfortable with the pharmaceutical therapy.

We also check for any interaction effect with the medication the patients bring with them when they are admitted to HIBMC.

Applying what we have learned through these conversations with the patients, we coordinate with the doctors and nurses so that we can implement a more effective and safe pharmaceutical therapy.

3.Management of Pharmaceutical Products

This task involves managing various pharmaceutical products that need to be stored in specific conditions (protected from light, heat, and humidity, etc). Drugs that have legal restrictions on their usage, such as narcotics, psychotropic drugs and toxicants are stored and controlled in accordance with the law.

We check on expiration dates and product quality by doing inventory management on a regular basis, for some daily, so that pharmaceutical products are used in their optimal condition.

Also, when new pharmaceutical products are purchased, we provide information and create informational materials so that the most appropriate and effective products required can be selected.

4.Management of Pharmaceutical Product Information

We endeavor to provide safer and more efficacious treatment for the patients by collecting and organizing information on pharmaceutical products, such as product documentation (user information for drugs) and information on effects and side effects (per notices from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, communication from pharmaceutical companies, etc.), and providing this to doctors, nurses and other medical staff,

We also edit the product documentation so the wording is easy for the patients to understand, and provide it as "An Explanation of Your Medication."