Damage analysis and countermeasures for pharmacy facilities after the 2018 Osaka earthquake

Abstract

With the issuance rate of out-of-hospital prescriptions exceeding 70%, pharmacies play a major role as a drug storage and supply base in the event of a disaster. Therefore, by conducting a questionnaire survey including a free description of the damage situation of pharmacies after the 2018 Osaka earthquake and analyzing and examining the obtained results, it is possible to better manage natural disasters including major earthquakes that may occur in the future. We decided to consider the measures taken by pharmacies to deal with such disasters. We conducted an online questionnaire survey of member pharmacies of the Ibaraki City Pharmacist Association, focusing on the damage caused by the earthquake and countermeasures after the disaster.With the issuance rate of out-of-hospital prescriptions exceeding 70%, pharmacies play a major role as a drug storage and supply base in the event of a disaster. Therefore, by conducting a questionnaire survey including a free description of the damage situation of pharmacies after the 2018 Osaka earthquake and analyzing and examining the obtained results, it is possible to better manage natural disasters including major earthquakes that may occur in the future. We decided to consider the measures taken by pharmacies to deal with such disasters. We conducted an online questionnaire survey of member pharmacies of the Ibaraki City Pharmacist Association, focusing on the damage caused by the earthquake and countermeasures after the disaster.

As a result, the most common damage was cracks in the walls, crushed windowpanes, water leaks due to damage to water pipes, and falls and movements of shelves. As for pharmaceuticals, there were also cases of dropping and damaging liquids and powders, and disposal of cold-stored pharmaceuticals due to power outages caused by water leaks. In addition, a wide range of damages were confirmed, such as the restoration of facilities and the difficulty in dealing with patients due to the obstacles involved in the gathering of pharmacy staff. In addition, the results of co-occurrence network analysis by text mining suggest that it is important to consider the immobilization of shelves and drug shelves in pharmacies, as well as the means and contact procedures for emergency contacts, and information management methods.