Pharmaceutical companies must reliably and continuously provide, collect, and communicate all information regarding the quality, efficacy, and safety required for the use of their products to healthcare professionals. Moreover, the information provision activities of pharmaceutical companies are expanding due to the rapid evolution and spread of digital technology. The Group contributes to healthcare to meet diversifying medical needs. At the same time, we provide appropriate treatment proposals in response to each patient’s condition, and conduct information provision activities for the proper use and dissemination of pharmaceuticals.
The Company is committed to delivering optimal pharmaceutical products to patients by providing information to healthcare professionals nationwide through medical representatives (MRs).
As digital technology advances, the healthcare environment is undergoing significant changes. In response, we are actively promoting digital marketing initiatives. In addition to traditional MR activities based on face-to-face visits to medical institutions, we have implemented omnichannel promotion strategies that leverage digital channels, such as online meetings and web content, tailored to the needs of physicians.
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Communication of safety information and science-based academic information on the proper use of ethical drugs
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Collection of information on drug efficacy and safety that could not be gleaned at the R&D stage, and reporting evaluations based on those results
We have assigned MRs who are specialists in specialty areas to be responsible for drugs that require a higher level of expertise.
By holding disease awareness seminars and events, we provide information to help patients and society deepen their understanding of diseases and lead a better life.
In February 2025, Nikkei Health Seminar 21, titled “Future ALS Treatment—If You Are Diagnosed with ALS,” sponsored by the Company and hosted by Nikkei Inc., was held online.
The seminar comprised two sections, a lecture by a specialist and a discussion session.
The lecture given by the specialist was on the theme of “Things to know about ALS.” During the talk session, they answered questions received in advance from online participants on the theme of “If you are diagnosed with ALS,” providing easy-to-understand advice. This gave us useful information and specific answers that helped address the concerns of patients and their families, such as the first things you should do when diagnosed with ALS, and preparations when starting home care.
The content of the seminar was later published in the Nihon Keizai Shimbun’s evening edition.
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- Nikkei Health Seminar 21
“Mikata Training” on the proper approach to obesity and obesity disease
On March 4 2025, World Obesity Day, the Company and Eli Lilly Japan K. K. (“Eli Lilly Japan”) conducted Mikata Training (hereinafter, the “program”) on the proper approach to obesity and obesity disease,which was developed to promote correct understanding of obesity disease.
The program comprises workshops that use card games to make learning fun, and accurate medical explanations provided by physicians. The workshops featured Invisible Prejudice Cards developed under the supervision of physicians, with participants sharing opinions with each other through games, helping them to recognize their own misconceptions and bias about obesity disease being caused by problems with self-management. After the workshop, participants gained a more in-depth, accurate understanding of obesity and obesity disease through physicians’ explanations.
Going forward we will offer this program as a corporate training to a variety of other companies and groups, and hope that it will foster an understanding of obesity and obesity diseasae in society and help to create a healthy workplace environment.
Through this program, the Company and Eli Lilly seek to help individuals living with obesity disease, as well as those around them, gain an understanding of the correct perspective on obesity and obesity disease. In doing so, we hope to create a workplace and society that are more supportive and allow such people to thrive.
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- The Mikata training project logo
Self-medication means to be “responsible for one’s own health and self-treatment for minor ailments” (WHO definition).
To promote self-medication, the Company conducts a variety of educational programs through TV commercials and websites to help people suffering from health issues in a range of disease areas to obtain accurate information and find a treatment as quickly as possible.
In the dermatology domain, the information on the Hifu No Koto website is monitored by specialists such as doctors and pharmacists and offers easy-to-understand information on skin troubles in general. In fiscal 2024 we added new information pages addressing areas such as how to deal with skin troubles caused by dryness and how to choose topical steroid agents, as well as updating existing pages by changing illustrations and titles. The site has been visited by more than 15 million people per year.
In the field of rhinitis, Talion AR allergic rhinitis medication has been reclassified from a category 1 to a category 2 medication, allowing sale by registered sellers, and the number of stores selling it increased significantly. By continuing to broadcast television advertisements and offering positive messages such as, “Starting this year, you’re going to like spring more,” we have promoted self-medication to hay fever sufferers. Moreover, as with last year, we have continued our efforts to create a pollen calendar that summarizes pollen dispersal forecasts for each area, which we made available on the brand website for this product in order to promote awareness among hay fever sufferers.
Femcare is a field focused on the care of women’s bodies and their health, and has been the focus of attention in recent years. Since 2010, the Company has also marketed Okinazole L100 (one tablet a day for six days) for the treatment of recurrent vaginal candidiasis, and in June 2023, we began the sale of Okinazole L600, which is effective with just a single dose, making it highly convenient. Furthermore, in February 2025, we released Medipure N, an oral medication for treating itching in sensitive areas. We intend to strengthen our lineup of products in the Femcare domain. On the Okinazole L brand site, we have improved pages overseen by physicians and enhanced disease awareness content, and are working to further promote self-medication in femcare.
*Reference: Hifu no Koto site (Japanese language only)
URL https://hc.tanabe-pharma.com/hifunokoto/
The Group has about 280 MRs overseas who provide appropriate usage information through local overseas subsidiaries in order to support the appropriate use of the Company’s pharmaceuticals. In addition to the U.S., these subsidiaries are located in Europe (U.K., Germany, Austria, and Switzerland) and in Asia (South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia). MRs involved in drug information provision activities visit medical institutions and doctors, participate in related academic conferences, exchange opinions with specialists, and provide the latest academic information. In this way, MRs are working each day to be able to contribute to the diagnosis and treatment activities of healthcare professionals.
Edaravone was approved as a treatment for ALS in the U.S. in May 2017 and launched in August. It is marketed by Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America (MTPA). Additionally, in May 2022, edaravone oral suspension was approved in the U.S. and launched in June of the same year. Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America also offers support to ALS patients through the JourneyMate Support Program. This program provides information on ALS and its treatment to patients diagnosed with ALS and their families, tailored treatment management for each patient, and insurance reimbursement support, as well as offering information from specialist staff in the US (clinical educators) after patients are prescribed edaravone. Furthermore, to support patients and families confronting ALS, we actively participate in disease awareness events, hold webinars for patients, and sponsor patient group events.
Main initiatives
MTPA is committed to supporting people living with ALS and their families throughout the year. As a proud national sponsor of the ALS Association’s Walk to Defeat ALS, our employees actively participate in events across the United States to raise awareness and support for the ALS community. In addition, we organize and sponsor educational initiatives – including webinars and awareness campaigns – designed to provide helpful information to individuals affected by ALS. Through platforms such as ALS Pathways and the JourneyMate Support Program, we also offer access to reliable resources that empower patient, caregivers, and families with the knowledge they need throughout their journey.
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- Participating in an ALS awareness event
In Asia, we are working to bring medications for diabetes and neuropsychiatric disorders in Taiwan, South Korea, and ASEAN nations quickly.
In Taiwan, we have obtained approval for the tardive dyskinesia medication valbenazine, and began sales of vadadustat, treatment for renal anemia.
In ASEAN, we obtained approval in Thailand for an additional indication of the antipsychotic medication cariprazine for use as an adjunct treatment for major depressive disorder, and for the use of the type 2 diabetes medication canagliflozin for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy. We also obtained approval of valbenazine for the use in the treatment of tardive dyskinesia in Malaysia and began sales of the cariprazine in the Philippines.
Through these activities, we will continue to provide patients in Asia who are fighting diabetes, neuropsychiatric disorders, and other difficulties with promising treatment options.
The Company has set up the following health support websites in Japan and around the world.
On these websites, we provide useful information with illustrations about the symptoms, diagnoses, and treatment of these diseases that helps many people gain an understanding of diseases and the importance of treatment, and supports the daily lives of patients and their families. We have also prepared leaflets that summarize the information on the health support websites so that healthcare professionals including doctors and pharmacists can present them to patients and their families.
Status of major site updates in fiscal 2024.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease / Ulcerative colitis)
We have added an explanatory video of the contents of the bowel health check sheet titled “Why not talk to us about your bowel health concerns?” posted within the “Check your bowel health issues” page on the SHITTOKU Café: Crohn’s Disease website.
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
We have updated the interface of ALS Station to be easier to understand and added a video of an interview with ALS patient/creator Masatane Muto to help ALS patients lead more fulfilling lives. We have also updated the content of the “’Meals basics series’ for ALS patients and their families.”
- Vaccinations
Vaccine.net features a “Vaccine roadmap for everyone” that illustrates essential vaccinations throughout life. It also provides seasonal vaccine information with the latest updates on vaccines.
- Tardive dyskinesia
On Searchlight: Finding and Supporting Together, we added content titled “Patient opinions,” “Patient experience videos Ver. 1–3” and “Comic adaptations of videos Ver. 1–3,” as information on tardive dyskinesia symptoms and treatment, and have posted the Piclog® involuntary movement detection app as well as a video introducing it.
- Sleep disorders
Suimin Net features a “Mechanics of sleep” series intended to deepen understanding of sleep, allowing individuals to distinguish the truth in all of the information on sleep available on the internet and on social media. It gives people a forum to learn about and consider sleeping for health. New articles on sleep during disasters, and on differences between how men and women sleep have also been added.
- Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum disorder
NMOSD Navi features information on diagnosis, treatment, coverage for medical costs, and explanations on neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, and introduces topics relevant to patients’ daily lives.
In fiscal 2024, about 21.95 million people visited these health support websites.
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Behcet’s disease
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
*Launched in Japan and the U.S.
https://www.alspathways.com/
- Brain and nerve diseases
- Multiple sclerosis
- Spinocerebellar degeneration and multiple system atrophy
- Liver failure
- Chronic kidney disease
- Sleep disorders
- Neuromyelitis optica
- Tardive dyskinesia
- Vaccines
- Eczema and dermatitis
The “Medication Information for Patients” website
To promote the appropriate use of medication and deepen patients’ knowledge and understanding, we operate the Medication Information for Patients website for patients using our ethical drugs. Patients can now use this website to obtain the latest information on our ethical drugs at any time and from any location. Additionally, this website also serves as a tool for healthcare professionals when providing information on medication for their patients.
Medication Information for Patients (Japanese language only)
https://patients.tanabe-pharma.com/
Website: Tell Us, Tanamin! Medication and Health Info Café
In November 2024, we launched the “Tell Us, Tanamin! Medication and Health Info Café” website for the general public. This website is intended to contribute to health literacy by deepening knowledge and correct understanding of health and medical care. On this site, “Tanamin” acts as your guide, introducing medical terminology and basic knowledge regarding medication that people often wonder about in the course of everyday life.
Tell us, Tanamin! Medication and Health Info Café (Japanese language only)
https://kenko.tanabe-pharma.com/
The Company has established its own Medical Information Center to respond directly to inquiries from healthcare professionals (physicians, pharmacists, wholesalers, and others) and patients. Separate from the Center, we have opened a point of contact for patients and their families to make it easy for them to obtain advice, and are operating our Medication Information for Patients website, which offers patients and their families direct access to information on our ethical drugs.
We are working each day to improve our skills so that we identify the true needs behind the inquiries and respond in a way that increases the satisfaction of the people who call. The Medical Information Center receives more than 42,000 inquiries (FY2024 results) a year on a wide range of subjects. It also provides information on the appropriate use of the Company’s products while utilizing basic pharmaceutical information and the in-house Q&A. Valuable information that the center receives from customers about safety, such as adverse effects of drugs, and quality is shared internally. In this way, the center helps improve products, enhance reliability, and discover future new drugs.
In recent years, with the diversification of information sources for healthcare professionals and patients and the development of digital technology, we are enhancing the quality and quantity of the product Q&A provided through our website while adding digital channels (AI chatbot and LINE Official Account) that can better meet customer needs, and are endeavoring to allow people to obtain the information they need 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Moving forward, the center will respond flexibly to changes in the times and provide appropriate usage information for pharmaceuticals in a reliable, accurate, and prompt manner. In this way, we will work to contribute to the promotion of patient health.
Number of inquiries received by the Medical Information Center
Subject of Inquiries to the Medical Information Center
- Toll-free guidance: Guidance to redirect consumers by providing correct contact information
Other: Non-indicated effects, pharmacokinetics, clinical studies, etc.
This account allows people to access the product information they want quickly and easily using a smartphone, and we will also use it to deliver the latest information on drug supply, revisions to package inserts, and other in a timely fashion.
Note: Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Medical info is intended for the proper use of ethical drugs by healthcare professionals in Japan.
Patient Supply Ordering Website
In February 2025, we established the Patient Supply Ordering website within the Medical View Point information website for healthcare professionals with the goal of improving convenience for these personnel. Patient supplies can be ordered from this website 24 hours a day.
Note: Information on this page pertains to activities and results for fiscal 2024.