Abstract
To cope with the aging population of Japan, medical care needs to be more accessible and efficient. Furthermore, resulting from the measures put in place against COVID-19, the use of information and communication technology (ICT) is expected to be promoted; telemedicine and telepharmacy need to be improved and extended to meet the new demands. To evaluate the implementation of telepharmacy and explore the future agenda, we conducted questionnaire surveys of 5 patients, 5 pharmacists from 4 pharmacies, and 3 physicians who participated in the demonstration project in the National Strategic Special Zone. The survey results confirmed that the quality of medication instruction improved, helping patients to be more relaxed at home; pharmacists were able to check the remaining medicines and medication-storage conditions. Although the introduction of telepharmacy required time and effort from pharmacists, telepharmacy facilitated making appointments, allowing for advance arrangements for medication shortage, and better preparation of medication instructions. Both patients and physicians rated telepharmacy highly, especially for the reduction in travel time and enabling comfortable, private conversation in the absence of other patients. It is suggested that telepharmacy may be an appropriate complement to in-person medication instruction for patients with stable chronic diseases, and it is expected to play an important role in the future, including supporting measures against COVID-19.
