The insurance pharmacy pharmacist as a key component of chemical management in the community

<p> Regulations are being comprehensively reviewed to ensure that chemical substances are managed autonomously and effectively at business sites. For chemical substances with known hazardous and toxic properties, it is necessary to conduct risk assessment and risk reduction/measures in line with the site. Chemical substance management is expected to vary depending on the type and scale of business. In rural areas, the percentage of small and medium-sized enterprises is large, and it is feared that inadequate implementation due to lack of manpower or insufficient measures due to lack of experience may lead to health hazards.</p><p> We pharmacists systematically study chemistry at university, and in clinical practice, we evaluate the pharmacokinetics of chemical substances in the body and provide drug administration guidance. We believe that pharmacists who understand the GHS, read and understand SDSs, and are able to assess not only the hazards of chemical substances but also the acute and chronic toxicity will become a new profession as "(commissioned) industrial pharmacists" supporting occupational health in rural areas. Insurance pharmacies in the community can be used as a place for direct contact and consultation with individual workers. In local cities, the distance between the place of residence and the workplace is close, and the provision of health services that can be completed within one municipality can be considered. Pharmacists' testing centers are already involved in the measurement of food and environmental substances, and their required role may also increase with the current revision of the law, which expands the range of substances to be controlled. In any case, pharmacists must take advantage of the revision of the law to deepen their knowledge by conducting awareness activities and training sessions, as this is an area of occupational health that they have not been involved in to date. Kagoshima is already conducting training sessions on industrial health, including chemical substance management, starting in 2019. The number of pharmacists who are certified as hygienic engineering hygiene managers and working environment measurement specialists is increasing, and activities are gradually becoming more widespread. In this presentation, we would like to let people know about our efforts in Kagoshima and provide topics on the possibilities of (commissioned) industrial pharmacists.</p>