[Japanese Code of Ethics for Pharmacists and Professionalism].

In their role as providers of pharmaceutical products to society, pharmacists must demonstrate professionalism if they are to gain the trust of the community. The Japan Pharmaceutical Association has published the Pharmacist Platform in Japan and the Japanese Code of Ethics for Pharmacists; these resources provide clear guidelines for pharmacists and are an important component of the profession. Becoming a pharmacist involves joining a professional community and thereby pledging to accept a set of ethical standards. This concept of the pharmacy profession is shared by other countries, and the International Pharmaceutical Federation has indicated that professionalism is an issue that should be addressed in every country. This review introduces the Pharmacist Platform in Japan, the Japanese Code of Ethics for Pharmacists established by the Japan Pharmaceutical Association, and the background of each establishment.

Current situation of drug information in the kindergarten and nursery teacher: a pilot study.

Because children cannot be expected to take medications correctly by themselves, parents are responsible for administering drugs based on the information provided by pharmacists. It has been reported that 90% of children aged 3-5 years in Japan attend kindergarten or nursery school, where teachers are responsible for the administration of some drugs to children. This study evaluated the types of information that teachers receive from parents. We conducted a questionnaire-based survey on drug information imparted to 144 teachers working in kindergarten or nursery schools in Hiroshima and Kure. The teachers reported that drug information from parents mainly comprised dosage and usage. However, little information was provided concerning the drug name, adverse drug reactions, and interaction with food items. To administer drugs to children safely, kindergarten and nursery teachers considered the information regarding adverse drug reactions (111/123 teachers), interaction with foods (106/123 teachers), and effective means of administering drugs (117/123 teachers) as important. The pharmacists' prescription notes have information on dosage, usage, drug name, adverse drug reactions, and interaction with food items. However, the teachers receive drug information from parents in the order of oral communication, a written note, and via the pharmacists' prescription note. Seventy-two percent of teachers (89/123 teachers) insisted on needing the pharmacists' prescription note. These results suggest that teachers are uncomfortable administering medications to children primarily due to inadequate information. Pharmacists should instruct parents to provide teachers with prescription notes to prevent grave medication errors.