[Pilot Study of "Japanese Model of Asheville Project"～How Did It Work?].

For prevention of the aggravation of diabetic nephropathy, a treatment method that combines self-care with medical guidance is becoming increasingly important, leading to the development of programs for lifestyle modification for the patients. To assess the effectiveness of such programs, we have conducted a feasibility study of a patient self-care support program with medical collaboration by registered pharmacists in community pharmacies involving patients with diabetic nephropathy who are under treatment at medical institutions, including our hospital. This study evaluated the two primary measurements, which are A) the actual execution rate versus planned programs, and B) the patient satisfaction rate.

[Japanese Model of Asheville Project. Its Overview and Initiative].

The Asheville Project® began in 1996 in Asheville, North Carolina, where community pharmacists, in collaboration with physicians, provide health coaching to patients with lifestyle diseases to accomplish their improved self-management of the disease. The project has now widely expanded across the United States. With periodical coaching by pharmacists, according to the reports of these programs, patients have been reported to show improvements in self-management and laboratory data, including the number of doctor visits, medication adherence and the number of foot examinations.

[Drug information for patients (Package Leaflets), and user testing in EU].

Patients and consumers have desired high quality drug information in their pharmacotherapy, and are entitled to receive it. It is desirable that the information should be aimed at shared decision-making between patients and healthcare professionals about medications. The quality of drug information available to patients should also be assured.