The 145th Annual Meeting of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan (Fukuoka)

Organizer: Shogo Tokuyama (Sch. Pharmaceu. Sci. Kobe Gakuin Univ.)

Non-cancer palliative care refers to palliative care for diseases and conditions other than cancer and is considered to be care aimed at relieving patients' symptoms and improving their QOL, regardless of whether or not treatment is available. However, the current situation in Japan is that palliative care is provided mainly for cancer, and it is difficult to say that it is sufficiently implemented in other areas. Non-cancer palliative care is provided for various diseases such as heart failure, chronic respiratory disease, chronic kidney disease, neurological diseases such as ALS and Parkinson's disease. The execution of palliative care requires a comprehensive approach that includes physical, psychosocial, and spiritual care, in addition to symptom management for pain, dyspnea, indigestion, and mental ataxia that develop with each disease. Therefore, a multidisciplinary team including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, rehabilitation specialists, social workers, and psychologists must work together to provide care tailored to the needs of each individual patient. In addition, education and support for patients and their families to deepen their understanding of the disease as well as to alleviate their symptoms and improve their quality of life are also essential. This symposium aims to discuss the future role of pharmacists by inviting physicians, pharmacists, and university faculty members who are well versed in the field of non-cancer palliative care.