Graduate Programs in Advanced Pharmacy Practice in Oncology in Japan

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-10-2010

Abstract

"Cancer has been the leading cause of death in Japan since 1981. The Japanese government implemented the Comprehensive 10-year Strategy for Cancer Control (1984–1993) and the New 10-year Strategy to Overcome Cancer (1994–2003) to tackle the problem.The Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW) has focused on hospitals to control health care costs, and developed and implemented a prospective payment system similar in concept to the diagnosis-related group (DRG) system in the US Medicare system in 2003.Since 2004, the third-term Comprehensive 10-year Strategy for Cancer Control has been implemented in order to promote cancer research and disseminate high-quality cancer medical services, with the slogan 'Drastic reduction in cancer morbidity and mortality.'

In May 2005, the MHLW founded the Headquarters of Cancer Control in order to promote multidisciplinary activity for comprehensive cancer control, and launched Action Plan 2005 for the Promotion of Cancer Control. In 2006, the ministry created a new section called the Office for Cancer Control in the Health Service Bureau, MHLW. In June 2006, the Cancer Control Act was approved, and the law has been implemented since April 2007. Based on this law, the Basic Plan to Promote Cancer Control programs was discussed by the Cancer Control Promotion Council and approved by the Japanese Cabinet in June 2007. Its basic concepts are: (1) promotion of cancer research (utilize research outcomes, promote clinical trials, and improve the clinical research environment), (2) standardization of cancer medical services (nurture specialized medical staff, develop medical facilities, improve the quality of life of cancer patients, and build databases on cancer medical services), and (3) development of cancer medical services to satisfy patients (promote cancer prevention and improve cancer screening quality).2 The ultimate goal of the programs is to realize a society where the general public can understand, face, and overcome cancer."

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This article was originally published in American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, volume 74, issue 6, in 2010. https://doi.org/10.5688/aj7406111

Copyright

Elsevier

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