Drug Information in the Japanese Pharmaceutical Industry: Analysis of an Eight-Year Investigation

Drug information (DI) activities are a fundamental service of pharmaceutical companies. Daiichi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. receives approximately 21,000 inquiries a year. It has developed its own computerized DI tracking system and has analyzed these inquiries for eight years.

A detailed examination of the inquiries showed that the number of questions increases with the launch of a product, remains constant for 3–5 years, and decreases thereafter. The type of questions asked is influenced by a new indication, the revision of the package insert, competitors' activities, and information in the mass media. Many questions commonly concern data on dosage and administration to the aged, children, pregnant women, patients with renal or hepatic impairment, comparisons with competitors, and so forth.

Thus far, Daiichi has only made passive use of the information acquired through DI activities. It will, however, make better use of this information hereafter as a resource providing information that health care practitioners really need.