Wrapping Up a Brighter Future: Nagasaki International University Launches Innovative Musubi Education Initiative for Pharmacy Students
Nagasaki International University has announced a new educational initiative for its pharmacy students, facilitated by KAKEHASHI Corporation’s cutting-edge pharmacy experience assistant “Musubi” and the medication notebook “Pocket Musubi”. This initiative is aimed at enhancing the technological and informational competencies of future pharmacists.
The 2022 core curriculum revision highlights “the ability to utilize information and science technology” as an essential competency for pharmacists. In response to this updated requirement, Nagasaki International University has decided to integrate Musubi and Pocket Musubi into its pharmaceutical education program. This will provide pharmacy students with valuable practical experience in using technology to improve patient care and streamline their workflow.
Associate Professor Kosuke Kanda from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Nagasaki International University shared his insights on the initiative, saying, “Pharmacies and pharmacists need to transition from focusing solely on objects to engaging more meaningfully with people. Digital transformation in pharmacy practice is inevitable for enhancing work efficiency and quality of patient care. It’s crucial for students to familiarize themselves with digital tools during their education stages. Musubi is user-friendly and promises to be an excellent educational tool, and I have high hopes for its effectiveness in education.”
Musubi, the Pharmacy Experience Assistant, represents a next-generation business support service designed to enhance the pharmacy experience for pharmacies, pharmacists, and patients alike. Utilizing a tablet device, Musubi allows pharmacists to provide medication instructions interactively with patients and automatically generates draft medication histories with on-the-spot screen touches. It offers advice tailored to the patient’s health condition and lifestyle, providing significant added value. Since its release in August 2017, Musubi has been adopted by a wide range of pharmacies, from large chains to locally based individual stores.
In tandem with Musubi, “Pocket Musubi” is a patient follow-up system accessible via LINE, aiming to create a pharmacy experience that encourages patients to return. The system includes functions such as a “medication period follow-up function” that screens patients needing follow-up based on their medication status, allowing pharmacists to take timely and appropriate action without additional burden. Additionally, a “prescription sending function” enables patients to send images of their prescriptions prior to visits, thereby reducing waiting times at the pharmacy.
KAKEHASHI Inc., the innovative health tech startup behind these tools, is dedicated to reconstructing Japan’s medical system through the effective use of technology. The company aims to provide sustainable and improved medical care for patients while supporting pharmacies and medical institutions in enhancing treatment effectiveness and stabilizing pharmaceutical inventory supply. Covering over 10,000 pharmacies in Japan, KAKEHASHI Inc. is continuously working with various stakeholders to build a platform for better medical care.
As Nagasaki International University embarks on this innovative educational initiative, Musubi and Pocket Musubi are set to play pivotal roles in preparing future pharmacists for a digitally transformed medical landscape. This effort ensures that the next generation of pharmacists will be well-equipped to leverage technology for optimal patient care and enhanced pharmacy operations.
