[Construction of pharmacy network to support home care]

Today, as medical care specialization and medical fee system coverage are rapidly progressing, hospitals have no choice but to reduce the number of hospital-stay days for patients. As a result, patients are being placed in home for medical care. Home care entails the transfer of care to the home of patients who are highly dependent on medical care. Consequently, it is expected that the number of cases requiring medical treatment also will increase. To support this type of home care, pharmacies will promote the supply of not only oral drugs but also injectables for use in nutrient management and pain control as well, while pharmacists will promote an appropriate drug therapy for patients who are convalescing at home, by visiting patients and providing advice for drug management. However, the reality is far from that because there are fewer than 50 pharmacies in the nationwide scale that can supply injectables. Considering future home care development, it is urgent that a pharmacy network should be constructed and facilities be created for supplying drugs.