Industry-based medical information in Japan: Practices and customer expectations

This article describes recent changes in the provision of medical information on prescription drugs in Japan. Japanese consumers are now turning to pharmaceutical manufacturers for information they cannot obtain from their health care professionals. This article provides background information on traditional information services, reasons for the rise in consumer demand for medical information, and information services put in place to respond to these consumer demands. Consumers' desire for information on their diseases and medications is going to increase as more information becomes available to them. It is recommended that the Japanese pharmaceutical industry, medical community, government, and consumer and patient advocacy groups start working together to address the issue of medical information.