The equine antitoxins supply system for biological poisons in Japan.
Recently, the equine antitoxin supply in Japan has sharply decreased; then it is apparent that a stable supply produced solely by private industry cannot be relied upon. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW), therefore, purchases vaccines and equine antitoxins from manufacturers who could not otherwise independently provide an adequate antitoxin supply to hospitals. This supply system is called the 'Kokuyu vaccine system.' Under this system, MHLW purchases, stores and distributes vaccines and antitoxins to hospitals. This system has worked efficiently and effectively so far and may be a good model for establishing a stable antitoxin supply system in other countries.
Nakai
Kiyohito
K
Department of Physiological Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Showa University, 1-5-8 Hatanodai Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 142-8555, Japan. nakai@nihs.go.jp
Takahashi
Motohide
M
Tomita
Motowo
M
D000818:Animals; D000992:Antitoxins; D004864:Equipment and Supplies / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D006078:Government Programs / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D006736:Horses; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D011042:Poisons / Q000276:immunology*; D014612:Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000992:Antitoxins; D011042:Poisons; D014612:Vaccines