A six-year pharmacy program began in 2006 focusing on medical pharmacy education. However, the importance of pharmaceutical health sciences remains universally unrecognized. Notably, the discussion about the positioning of pharmaceutical health sciences within pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences as well as their relationship with the mission of pharmacists remains absent. In this review, I aimed to trace the historical development of pharmaceutical health sciences, examine the mission of pharmacists, and provide a historical perspective on the university education responsible for training pharmacists. The obtained results provide a basis to express expectations for the education of pharmaceutical professionals, particularly those with expertise in public health pharmacies.

This study focuses on developing functional “molecules” and “reactions” aimed at controlling biomolecular functions. In the aspect of molecules, the asymmetric total syntheses of (−)-stemonamine and (−)-isostemonamine, which are stemona alkaloids isolated from Stemona japonica, were achieved. The strategy featured an intramolecular acylation to construct a seven-membered lactam and a tandem [2+2] cycloaddition/Dieckmann condensation to build the cyclopentenone ring, yielding the stemona alkaloids with high optical purity. Detailed kinetic analyses experimentally revealed, for the first time, the details of racemization and epimerization of/between stemonamine and isostemonamine. Biological assays demonstrated that (−)-isostemonamine exhibited potent antiproliferative activity against ERα-negative breast cancer cells. This synthetic methodology paves the way for the supply of stemona alkaloids whose biological activities are unknown and which have not yet been synthesized, and it is expected to greatly contribute to elucidating the biological functions hidden within their unique structures. In the aspect of reaction, a highly acid-sensitive Nazarov reaction proceeding under weakly acidic or even neutral conditions was developed. Key to this unprecedented reaction was the synergistic combination of (i) enhanced Lewis basicity of the carbonyl group, (ii) promotion of cyclization, and (iii) irreversible phenol elimination that shifts the reversible cyclization equilibrium toward the product. This system was further extended to a “molecular release reaction,” enabling fluorescent dye liberation in aqueous media. While further development is still required, the methodology offers a basis for future exploration of biocompatible acid-responsive reactions and the establishment of new biochemical tools that releases molecules targeting the acidic environment within living systems.

I would like to discusses trends concerning the enhancement of Japan’s drug discovery research capabilities based on objective, reliable data, and introduce two government initiatives. From the perspective of strengthening drug discovery capabilities, interdisciplinary efforts across various fields, including medicine, science, and agriculture, are crucial and indispensable. However, through discussions with relevant experts this year, it has become clear that pharmaceutical education, pharmaceutical research, and the role of pharmacists are of great significance. At this symposium, specific presentations on the efforts of various universities and companies are scheduled. I will also learn from these presentations and aim to apply the insights gained to future policy development.

Japan’s pharmaceutical industry faces declining global competitiveness despite its historical strength in drug discovery. This paper examines the perspective of research-oriented pharmaceutical companies, focusing on the roles that pharmaceutical universities are expected to fulfill by the pharmaceutical industry. The diversification of therapeutic modalities—from small molecules to antibodies, middle-sized molecules, nucleic acids, and gene/cell therapies—requires new approaches to pharmaceutical research education. Using Chugai Pharmaceutical as a case study, we analyze the human resource composition across different functions, revealing an increasing demand for specialized researchers with Ph.D. degrees and diverse scientific backgrounds. Pharmaceutical companies seek three core qualities in researchers: scientific thinking capability, proactive collaboration skills, and patient-centered mindset. To develop these qualities, pharmaceutical universities should focus on cultivating strong scientific foundations through research experience; engaging in interdisciplinary collaboration with medical, engineering, and information sciences; and maintaining patient-centered perspectives through clinical training. The creation of a robust drug discovery ecosystem requires coordination between academia, pharmaceutical companies, startups, and regulatory authorities. Pharmaceutical universities play a crucial role in developing cutting-edge researchers and creating new drug discovery seeds and modality technologies. By strengthening both research and education in pharmaceutical universities, and fostering industry-academia collaboration, Japan can revitalize its pharmaceutical industry as a key economic sector and continue contributing to global healthcare through innovative medicines.

Recently, Japan’s drug discovery capabilities have declined, prompting a national policy priority to address this issue. Thus, clinical research infrastructure and the development of practical human resources are important in promoting innovation. Hospital pharmacies, particularly within academic medical centers, may serve as core hubs supporting drug development through advanced clinical trial management and participation in decentralized clinical trials (DCTs). The Department of Pharmacy at Okayama University Hospital has established a comprehensive system for managing investigational drugs and actively engaged in DCTs, including remote monitoring and home delivery of investigational products. Furthermore, integrated educational initiatives involving pharmacy students, graduate students, and researchers from diverse academic backgrounds provide hands-on clinical trial experience and foster ethical decision-making and practical skills. Through collaboration with local governments and industry, field-based education that bridges society and pharmaceutical research has been implemented. These educational practices align with the core Japanese curriculum for pharmaceutical education, emphasizing research practices, healthcare decision-making, and societal relevance. This paper outlines a series of practical initiatives led by the Department of Pharmacy at Okayama University Hospital, which represent a sustainable educational model that reinforces Japan’s drug discovery foundation. Accordingly, we proposed a vision for the future integration of hospital pharmacy practices with pharmaceutical education, highlighting the expanding professional role of pharmacists in drug discovery ecosystems.

The development of innovative pharmaceuticals and their appropriate use is fundamental to the medical care that supports human health. Japan has made significant contributions to improving health standards through the production of a large number of pharmaceuticals. On the other hand, the declining share of Japan-developed drugs in the global market and the increasing import of foreign-origin medications have become more and more pronounced in recent years. Hence, the strengthening of drug discovery capabilities is recognized as an urgent issue. In this review, we introduce the outline, aims, and characteristics of the research-based six-year education system at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, which is designed to foster human resources who will be responsible for drug discovery in Japan in the future.

It is no exaggeration to say that most biological processes are carried out by proteins. However, proteins in the cells of many animals, including humans, will be damaged by various non-physiological modifications with age. The accumulation of such damaged/abnormal proteins is thought to cause a decline in the physiological function of various tissues in aging individuals. To maintain normal physiological function, abnormal proteins must be restored to normal by repair enzymes or removed by protein degradation enzymes, and new molecules must be synthesized and replaced. However, the transcription factors responsible for inducing heat shock proteins involved in the repair of conformationally altered proteins and molecules in the proteasome involved in the degradation of damaged proteins, are altered with age as well. In other words, those proteins involved in maintaining the homeostasis of proteins are also altered themselves with age. This review summarizes the author’s 44 years of research on “aging and proteostasis.”

Early, high-quality resuscitation of patients experiencing sudden deterioration within medical facilities is a critical intervention directly influencing patient outcomes. To ensure rapid response, in-hospital emergency call systems have been established, enabling timely implementation of basic life support (BLS) and advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS). As ACLS requires medications, the participation of a pharmacist is essential. At Kameda Medical Center, pharmacists receive BLS, ACLS, and departmental training and actively participate in emergency responses. The aim of this study was to clarify the effects of participation in emergency calls on professionalism and psychological stress of pharmacists. A hypothesis was developed and tested by surveying pharmacists who had participated in in-hospital emergency calls. The results suggest that emergency response provides pharmacists with opportunities to fulfill their professional roles, potentially enhancing professionalism. However, due to the high-pressure nature of these circumstances, pharmaceutical interventions do not always contribute to the development of professional identity. Pharmacists with >2 years of clinical experience reported greater confidence and a sense of accomplishment, indicating that early-career exposure is important for professional development. Additionally, 35% of respondents reported mental strain and 20% noted disruptions to routine duties, highlighting the requirement for improved training and psychological support systems.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive pulmonary vascular disease that leads to right heart failure and systemic venous congestion. Such congestion can impair multiple organs, including the gastrointestinal tract. Recent clinical studies have reported elevated circulating endotoxin levels in patients with PAH, suggesting a potential disruption of intestinal barrier function. However, whether PAH affects duodenal permeability remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the impact of PAH on duodenal barrier integrity. PAH was induced in rats through two subcutaneous injections of monocrotaline (20 mg/kg). Histological analysis was performed, and the mRNA expression levels of duodenal tight junction proteins were quantified using real-time PCR. Duodenal permeability was assessed by performing in situ and ex vivo experiments with paracellular probes. PAH rats exhibited characteristic signs of right heart failure, including reduced weight gain, elevated brain natriuretic peptide levels, and thickening of the right ventricular wall. Histological examination revealed duodenal villous atrophy and thickened muscularis mucosa. Claudin-1 mRNA expression in the duodenum of PAH rats was 70% lower than that in control rats. In situ permeability assays revealed 2.0- and 1.5-fold increases in the portal vein concentrations of polyethylene glycol 400 and 600, respectively. In addition, ex vivo experiments showed a 1.9-fold increase in the cumulative lactulose permeation from the luminal to the vascular side over 120 min. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to describe decreased duodenal barrier integrity caused by monocrotaline-induced PAH in rats.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have significantly advanced cancer treatment, and their clinical indications continue to expand. At the same time, the importance of managing immune-related adverse events (irAEs) has been increasing, along with growing expectations for pharmacist involvement. Herein, we report a case in which prompt pharmacist intervention prevented the progression of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) following ICI therapy. A patient with lung adenocarcinoma received 4 cycles of carboplatin, pemetrexed, and pembrolizumab, followed by maintenance therapy with pemetrexed and pembrolizumab. During the first cycle of maintenance therapy, the patient presented with fever, chills, and fatigue. Despite antibiotic administration, the symptoms persisted. Given the low likelihood of infection and elevated laboratory markers such as ferritin and interleukin-6, CRS was suspected, and the patient was urgently admitted for corticosteroid therapy. However, the patient’s respiratory condition deteriorated despite steroid administration. The attending pharmacist actively intervened by recommending additional laboratory tests, performing physical assessments, and suggesting therapeutic options. Following these interventions, the patient’s symptoms improved, no further exacerbations occurred, and the patient was discharged. This case highlights the clinical significance of pharmacist intervention in managing ICI-related CRS.