[Factors affecting the response of thalidomide therapy for patients with multiple myeloma].

Factors that affect the response of multiple myeloma patients to thalidomide were evaluated in 40 patients who were not eligible for chemotherapy (untreated: 14, relapse/refractory: 26). The complete response (CR) rate was 2.5%; partial response (PR) 50.0%; minimal response (MR) 25.0%; no change (NC) 12.5%; and progressive disease 10.0%. The response to thalidomide could be evaluated after four weeks of treatment. Significantly higher responses were associated with untreated patients, patients with combined use of thalidomide plus dexamethasone, and patients with kappa light chain. Patients who responded well to thalidomide showed a significantly higher progression-free survival (PFS) rate. In patients with kappa light chain, PFS and overall survival rates were significantly higher than those with lambda light chain. Frequent adverse reactions were numbness (47.5%), constipation (32.5%), and eruption (30.0%). In patients previously treated with vincristine, numbness occurred in a significantly higher percentage of patients.

[Usefulness of sharing medication-related reviews based on questionnaire survey, and the cooperation between hospital and community pharmacist at conference prior to discharge].

Owing to the Japanese healthcare system reform, the place where patients receive medical care is beginning to shift from hospital to home. This study aims to evaluate the usefulness of sharing medication-related reviews through a questionnaire survey and hospital pharmacist intervention survey. It appears that almost all community pharmacists have inadequate information at the time of dispensing medication to, monitoring adverse effects of, and counseling cancer patients. There is no doubt that hospital pharmacists should provide more information to community pharmacists at conference prior to discharge. Fortunately, at the Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital, hospital pharmacists and community pharmacists work closely to contribute to an effective patient care at discharge. Thus, there is an urgent need to ensure greater cooperation between hospital pharmacists and community pharmacists in Japan.

Survey on the actual status of use of antiseptics in our hospital.

Prevention of nosocomial infections is an important task for any medical institution. Although it is important to administer antibiotics prophylactically during the perioperative period, the proper use of antiseptics should have top priority. We carried out a survey to show the actual status of antiseptic use in our hospital in order to determine their proper use. The survey was carried out considering two aspects: the expense situation on the basis of the order slips and the status of use in each department and ward. It was conducted by questionnaire, and the pharmacist of each department asked questions to the nursing staff there. It was found that disinfectants and antiseptics are used almost correctly in our hospital. However, some improper uses were also found. In the future, on the basis of the findings of this study by questionnaire, we would like to give instructions from the standpoint of the pharmacist in the proper use of disinfectants and antiseptics and in the control of nosocomial infections.