American and Japanese Drug Distribution and Information Systems in 1994 and a Proposed System for Improved Pharmaceutical Care

Abstract

Drug distribution environments were reported in the United States and Japan. It was observed that both countries are readily adjusting to rapidly changing drug distribution environments. In the United States direct marketing and purchasing practices have been growing while in Japan very few of these practices are seen. Mandated cost containment by health care companies has influenced pharmacy operation patterns in the United States such as mail order pharmacies and managed-care-controlled pharmacies, while in Japan pharmacy operations are likely to be overwhelmed by the long-standing physician dispensing practices. Patients hope that competition created from a variety of practices results in improved pharmaceutical care for them. Neither system of drug distribution practices is superior to the other. Both Japanese and American pharmacy practices must continually evolve to meet their own social, economic, and professional needs and standards of practice.