[Challenge of pharmacies to support home medical care]

Recently, hospitals have started to actively shorten the number of hospital days (hospital-stay and commuting days) of patients, as a result promotion of a home medical care has been started on that basis. Home medical care requires a fully equipped system in regional areas in terms of medical practitioners, home care nurses and drug supplies. From the system's perspective, home care for cancer patients is continually being promoted, so a drug supply system needs to be urgently put in place. Pharmacists are not only filling prescriptions for drug injectables, but they are also contributing to a proper use of drugs by engaging in patient home visits, and providing information to medical practitioners and home-visit nurses. In order to further promote home care, there will be a need to fully equip pharmacies and train pharmacists so they gain a rich clinical experience.