[Role of Pharmacist in Comprehensive Community System: An Elder Beginner Medical Doctor's View]

Pharmacists at National Cancer Center Hospital East play important roles in designing, conducting new protocol for clinical trials for developing new regimens and even new drugs. They are also key staffs in treating cancer patients in both in- and out-patient clinics by conducting chemotherapy and monitoring adverse effects. In addition, they educate patients and families before and during treatment by operating independent pharmacists' out-patient clinics. Pharmacists are in front-line of cancer chemotherapy. I was in National Cancer Center but am now in a small city hospital where most of the patients are age over 70 or 80 and frequently live alone. They are suffered from cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and mental diseases. Because most of the patients are elderly, their renal function is more or less disturbed. In this area, medical social workers, nurses, care workers and medical doctors together with visiting nurse system, care worker station try to let the patients enjoy life out of hospital. Japan is a leading country to overcome many problems in an elderly society and try to establish comprehensive community system. The position of pharmacists in this system is not fully clear in our city and probably in other city. Here is another frontier for pharmacists.