Investigation of psychotropic medication recipients consciousness for drug stockpiles in disasters

Abstract

This study is a survey targeting psychotropic medication recipients. We investigated the consciousness concerning stockpiles of psychotropic drugs for disasters. More than half of the respondents had extra psychotropic medicine, and 30.5% of the respondents were stockpiling in preparation for the disaster. Existence of family pharmacies and the existence of disaster risks around them were factors related to stockpiling behavior. However, it is suggested that stockpiling of psychotropic drugs may be carried out by citizen's own judgment. Inappropriate use of psychotropic medicine at evacuation centers may cause health problems and extra medical expenses, so medical staff must instruct them. There are many needs of psychotropic drugs from citizens in disasters. However, it is financially difficult to stock up drugs for disaster at hospitals. It is desirable to set up a public disaster storage warehouse near the evacuation center.