[Empathy to be Shown by Pharmacists toward Home Patients - Initiatives Undertaken by Pharmacists to Promote the Proper Use of Pharmaceutical Products].

Separation of medical and dispensary services has taken root in Japan as a healthcare system;8 00 million prescriptions have been issued, and 70% of medical institutions now participate in this practice. Additionally, discussions are ongoing regarding patient-oriented family pharmacies from a"back-to-basics"perspective of the separation drug dispensing from medical practice. Through a series of such discussions, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare published a paper entitled"Vision for Pharmacies Working for Patients"with a focus on 3 functions to be implemented by family pharmacists and pharmacies.