Up until now it was necessary for ALS patients to go to the hospital or to be hospitalized to receive treatment, which would be administered intravenously using painful needles. To offer ALS patients easy access to medication, in 2018, we began development of an oral suspension of edaravone as an additional form of dosage, with sales beginning in the United States in June 2022. As of March 2023, it has been used to treat approximately 10,000 patients, winning broad praise from the ALS community for eliminating the need to use needles and reducing the burden of home treatment.

In Japan, we obtained approval for the manufacture and sale of the “Edaravone Oral Suspension” for ALS medication in December 2022, with sales beginning in April 2023. Based on edaravone medications, we will continue our efforts to improve the quality of life of ALS patients around the world.

In February 2021, we obtained approval to manufacture the first OD tablet of the selective “DPP-4 inhibitor” for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and launched it in June. By adding a formulation of OD tablets (orally disintegrating tablets*), we provide “new options” for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, which is expected to provide greater convenience and medication compliance and adherence for elderly patients and patients with impaired swallowing function.

In addition, to ensure identification, the product name is printed in Japanese on both sides of the OD tablet, just like regular tablets.

*Because orally disintegrating tablets disintegrate in tens of seconds due to saliva or a small amount of water on the tongue, they are also useful for the average person as well as the elderly who cannot swallow tablets easily and those with water intake restrictions.
Source: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency
https://www.pmda.go.jp/safety/consultation-for-patients/on-drugs/qa/0002.html

Some drugs are difficult to take because of the dosage form. To help patients to take their drugs correctly, we print a QR code on the drug packaging and make it simple for them to view a video that explains in an easy-to-understand manner the basic way to take the drug and necessary precautions. The video is played if a smartphone or other devices are used to read the QR code* printed on the packaging. The objective of this initiative, which is an industry first, is to be useful in such situations as when patients receive compliance instruction at pharmacies and when patients take their drugs.

*“QR Code” is a trademark of Denso Wave Incorporated.

When the QR code is read, a movie is played that explains how to take the quick-disintegrating tablet for chronic renal failure.

The quick-disintegrating tablet does not increase medication volume due to its unique formulation technology and quickly disintegrates with a small amount of water and reduces diffusion into the oral cavity. It is therefore expected to improve the medication compliance of patients who have difficulty taking capsules and fine granules.

We are also working actively to improve the ease of use of pharmaceuticals. Medical institutions provided feedback that the aluminum bags containing the pharmaceutical packaging sheets (PTP sheets) were difficult to open and it was not easy to take out the product. In response, we worked in cooperation with the material manufacturer to develop aluminum bags that are easy to open and make it easy to take out the product. These improved aluminum bags received the Pharmaceutical and Medical Packaging Award at the Japan Packaging Contest 2016 (sponsored by the Japan Packaging Institute).