Abstract
The predicted rate of compliance with the Guidelines on the Management and Treatment of Glucocorticoid-induced Osteoporosis is around 20%. The notion that the occupational abilities of pharmacists could be useful in management and treatment of this iatrogenic disease led to a nationwide questionnaire survey of 102 Kosei Hospitals on the treatment of glucocorticoidinduced osteoporosis. In total, 67 hospitals responded (response rate, 65.7%). Analysis revealed that hospital pharmacies did not have a clear view on managing patients with a history of longterm steroid prescription. However, pharmacists had made proposed changes to prescriptions for preventing glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in approximately 30% of hospitals, and such proposals were usually acceptable to doctors. Also, 70% of chief pharmacists believed that pharmacists can play important roles in raising the rate of compliance with the guidelines.
