Mobile Pharmacy in Japan
HiiragiDid you know that there are currently mobile pharmacies operating in Japan on a temporary basis? Japanese law generally sets standards for pharmacies, stating that a pharmacy must be a facility built on land, such as real estate. Nevertheless, there is a reason why mobile pharmacies, or mobile pharmacies, have been built and are actually in operation.
The genesis of this story can be traced back to the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011. The Great East Japan Earthquake was one of the most massive earthquake disasters in Japan's history. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the earthquake had a maximum intensity of 7 and a magnitude of 9.0. 19,747 people were died, 2,556 people were missing, and 1,154,893 houses were completely or partially destroyed, making it the fourth largest earthquake in the world since 1900 as of 2021. The earthquake was considered to be the world's fourth largest earthquake since 1900 as of 2021. ［1] This damage destroyed local infrastructure, including medical facilities, and various plans have been explored as part of the peacetime preparedness necessary to protect the public. One of these was the mobile pharmacy, and after the earthquake, mobile pharmacies were developed and began operating in Miyagi Prefecture and other regions.
In Yokohama City, two mobile pharmacies are in operation as of October 2024, and they are operated jointly by Yokohama College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Yokohama Pharmaceutical Association, and Yokohama City. Mobile pharmacies are not recognized as pharmacies under normal circumstances when the Disaster Relief Law is not in effect, and they are not allowed to have pharmaceutical products in their vehicles. However, in the event of a disaster, the mobile pharmacy is ready to secure supplies and personnel to provide support under the direction of the government and in cooperation with the pharmacists' association. This vehicle can usually be seen at events such as ward festivals and disaster prevention fairs in Yokohama City, so if you are interested in this vehicle, please visit the city. In Japan, where many large-scale disasters occur, there are still many issues to be addressed in disaster medical care. However, we sincerely hope that even one more attempt or measure will lead to a better future.
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［1] White Paper on Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism 2021, Section 2: Past Crises and Changes, 3: The Great East Japan Earthquake
Mobile Pharmacy (Yokohama-city) _ It was taken at Sakae Ward Citizens' Festival, Yokohama, November 2023.
