In order to solve various problems on insurance health services towards the 21st century, it is vital to discuss a whole range of issues on health care, including presymptomatic disease measures resulting from those problems. To tackle those issues, we organized the 21st Century Medical Agenda Committee. consisting of clinicians, pharmacists, clinical technologists, pharmaceutical companies, food companies and economic research agencies. We conducted many discussions on presymptomatic disease measures, aimed at establishing new systems necessary for those measures Also, we conducted a questionnaire survey regarding the 605 people. 60 years old or older, attending Lifelong Community College in Chiba Prefecture. The result suggested the following aspects; although they are aware of their health, people feel anxiety over their possible future diseases; easy access to pharmacies so that people can feel free to consult about their health; people actually depend on hospitals concerning medical services including evasion of diseases. In response to that, as the first step towards establishing a system for presymtomatic disease measures, the following merits are expected. By fostering consultation functions of pharmacies, home-pharmacies will be able to counsel people on presymptomatic disease, and they can offer increasing primary consultation and instruction when people feel anxiety over their health. Furthermore, by promoting cooperation with home-doctors who are engaged in offering appropriate instructions and medical services, after differential diagnosis discerning presymtomatic diseases from diseases is completed, medical services for presymtomatic diseases, which are high quality and comprehensive, can be offered.

View full abstract