Japan's rapidly aging population has prompted a change in the country's pharmaceutical care framework from a drug-oriented to a patient-oriented approach. Pharmacies and pharmacists are expected to play central roles in this new patient-oriented approach by reconciling medication and managing polypharmacy, conducting home visits, and providing care to patients in collaboration with local clinics and hospitals. These additional roles are expected to lead to a reduction in the prevalence of adverse effects and improve the quality of life of patients in Japan's aging society. To promote patient-oriented care by pharmacists, these additional roles were legislated in a revision of the Japanese Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act and other related Act in December 2019. Here, we overview how the revisions affect pharmacies, pharmacists, medical institutions, and outpatients.
Keywords: Aging society; Integrated community care system; Pharmaceutical care; Pharmacist; Pharmacy.