Research Report of NIRA-Conducted Research:
"New Systems for Preventing Harmful Effects from Pharmaceutical and Bio-Chemical Products"
1. Establishing the Study Group
The National Institute for Research Advancement (NIRA) has been interested in the issue of harmful effects caused by pharmaceutical and bio-chemical products for some time. In response to the public's growing interests in and expectations for new systems to prevent harmful effects from pharmaceutical and bio-chemical products, and in support of the Welfare Minister's initiative in addressing the problem which was further developed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, it was deemed necessary to consider measures, from a neutral viewpoint, to prevent such harmful effects from occurring again. Thus, NIRA organized a study group consisting of safety and system experts and chaired by Isao Kuroda, former Professor of Waseda University, in order to analyze the organizational structure which resulted in said harmful effects caused by pharmaceutical and bio-chemical products and to reevaluate the concerned policies.
2. The Purpose of This Study
This study is not being conducted from a legal standpoint in which the penal responsibilities of individuals are investigated. Rather, this study aims to clarify the structural factors that continue to cause harmful effects from pharmaceutical and bio-chemical products, and to examine and present measures to ensure that such cases never occur again.
3. Research Schedule
| July 17, 1996 | The first meeting of the study group | ||
| April, 1997 | Announcement of the Interim Report | ||
| July 14, 1998 | Submission of the Proposals to the Welfare Minister | ||
| (Tentative) | October, 1998 | Publication of NIRA's final research report |
4. Study Group Members
| Isao Kuroda (Chairman) | Former Professor at Waseda University | |
| Yoichi Uehara | Professor Emeritus at Yokohama National University | |
| Yoshio Kato | Lawyer | |
| Shinichi Kamata | Professor at the National Defense Academy | |
| Hiroshi Naito | Professor at Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences and Professor Emeritus at the University of Tsukuba | |
| Ikujiro Nonaka | Director of the School of Knowledge Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology | |
| Hisaaki Yamamori | Former pilot for Japan Airlines (JAL) |
(About NIRA)
The National Institute for Research Advancement (NIRA) is a policy research organization established on the initiative of leading figures from the industrial, academic and labor communities. The organization received its final authorization from the government based upon the National Institute for Research Advancement Act (Japanese Law No. 51, 1973) in 1974. NIRA is operated through an endowment of capital contributions and donations from both the public and private sectors.
NIRA's main objective is to conduct research from an independent standpoint and contribute to the resolution of various complex issues facing contemporary society. Research topics reflect the trends of the times and span a wide range, including politics, economics, international issues, social issues, technology and local government systems.
With the aim of advancing research, NIRA actively provides research information, conducts exchange with many research organizations in Japan and overseas, supports research projects, and performs other related activities.
[Reference]
| Mr. Sugita, Director | : | Tel 03-5448-1711 |
| Ms. Nara, Researcher | : | Tel 03-5448-1726 |
National Institute for Research Advancement
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