Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 17, 2025

Extraction of Aqueous Metabolites from Cultured Adherent Cells for Metabolomic Analysis by Capillary Electrophoresis-Mass Spectrometry
Published on: June 9, 2019
Analysis of Pharmacy Accessibility and Function in Wakayama Prefecture Using Geographic Information System
Satoki Kajimoto1, Shota Suzuki1, Hiroshi Okada1
1Department of Social & Community Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wakayama Medical University.
Abstract:
Studies investigating pharmacy accessibility have demonstrated value for analyzing healthcare resource distribution and regional disparities. However, researchers have not yet conducted a comprehensive investigation of the geographical distribution of pharmacies. This study aimed to examine the geographic accessibility and functionality of pharmacies in Wakayama Prefecture using a geographic information system. This cross-sectional study analyzed pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics in Wakayama Prefecture from November 2024 to March 2025. The investigation was conducted at the secondary medical region level, evaluating the population percentage within pharmacy service areas. The study also collected and analyzed data on pharmacy-to-population ratios, operating hours, numbers of full-time pharmacists, and pharmacy functions. Results indicated that pharmacies were predominantly concentrated in northern and coastal regions. The Wakayama Medical Region showed the highest population percentage (69.4%) within an 800-m service radius, while the Gobo Medical Region showed the lowest (35.6%). Analysis of pharmacy functions revealed disparities exceeding 20% for 24-hour service and home dispensing services. These findings suggest that despite Wakayama Prefecture's pharmacy density exceeding the national average, accessibility challenges persist due to regional disparities within the prefecture. The results emphasize the need to address regional disparities in pharmacy accessibility and promote equitable distribution of medical resources. Future research should include a survey tailored to the needs of local residents to identify areas for improvement.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Analysis of Population Pharmacokinetic Data
Model-Independent Approaches for Pharmacokinetic Data: Noncompartmental Analysis
One important characteristic of noncompartmental analyses is that drug exposure increases proportionally with increasing doses. This...
Manipulation and Analysis
Levels of Use of a GIS
Model Approaches for Pharmacokinetic Data: Compartment Models
Two primary types of compartment models are recognized: mammillary and catenary. The more...
Noncompartmental Analysis: Miscellaneous Pharmacokinetic Parameters
One key aspect of the noncompartmental approach is determining a drug's total clearance. This can be done by dividing the drug dose by the area under the concentration-time curve from zero to infinity. The area under the concentration-time curve represents the drug's...

