Trends in the medication reviews of community pharmacies in Japan: a nationwide retrospective study

Background The trends in medication reviews made by community pharmacies in Japan are currently unknown. Objective We aimed to comprehensively describe the national trends in medication reviews in Japan’s community pharmacies in the backdrop of the country’s ageing population. Setting Community pharmacies in Japan. Methods We analysed national health insurance claims data for 2010–2015. These data were provided by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as part of the Survey of Medical Care Activities in Public Health Insurance. Main outcome measures The national trends in community pharmacy visits involving medicine dispensing and medication reviews that involve consultations with a physician. Results Among the 365 million pharmacy visits for 2010–2015, we identified 373,429 medication reviews accompanied by consultations with a physician. The pharmacy visit rate per 1000 population increased from 427.2 in 2010 to 483.7 in 2015. Medication reviews also increased from 407 per million pharmacy visits in 2010 to 1445 in 2015. Among the 373,429 medication reviews during the study period, the prescription was changed through collaboration with a physician 338,982 times (90.4%). The proportion of medication review acceptance increased from 80.6% in 2010 to 94.8% in 2015. The prescription change rate was higher among older patients than among younger ones. Conclusions Medication reviews by community pharmacists involving consultations with a physician increased in Japan from 2010 to 2015, as did prescription changes following these reviews.