SETSUYAKU-BAG campaign-investigation of leftover drugs retained by outpatients and promotion of proper reuse leftover drugs to reduce medical expenses

Pharmacists, being compensated through the new dispensing fee, are required to educate patients on their adhesion to the use of prescribed drugs, and to inventory the levels of leftover drugs in outpatients. Recently, Fukuoka City Pharmaceutical Association started a campaign for regulating leftover drugs (Setsuyaku Bag Campaign). Thirty-one pharmacies joined the campaign. Pharmacists distributed convenience bags, called 'SETSUYAKU-BAG.' The patients put their leftover drugs in the bags and brought them to community pharmacies. The pharmacists inventoried the returned drugs and reported their results to the doctors. The doctors adjusted the prescriptions accordingly.We counted and analyzed old and new inventories. The number of leftover drugs was 252, for a total value was ¥839655. Cost of leftover drug prescriptions could be reduced by ¥702695, and the value of drugs thrown away was ¥94801. In total, we could reduce the amount of leftover drugs by 83.7%. The cost of leftover drug for one dose package (ODP) is higher than that for non-ODP. However, there were no significant differences in results per age, sex, number and kinds of drugs, prescription days and premium contribution rate. These results suggest that prescription regulation by inventory of leftover drugs in community pharmacies could significantly reduce overall medical expenses. Further studies are necessary in order to account for patients' health, and to establish more efficient patient education to raise outpatients' adherence to the new programs.