Conclusion of Agreement on Joint Procurement of Medicines Across Medical Districts: Establishing a Stable Medicine Supply System Led by University Hospitals (Okayama University, Shimane University, Okayama Red Cross Hospital, Okayama City Hospital)

This is a joint press release by Okayama University, Shimane University, Okayama Red Cross Hospital, and Okayama City Hospital.

June 13, 2026 National University Corporation Okayama University

https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/

<Key Points of the Announcement>

- The promotional activities for formularies previously conducted by three public medical institutions in the Okayama area will now be expanded to four institutions with the addition of Shimane University Hospital. An agreement regarding its implementation will be signed. - Conducting joint drug procurement between national university hospitals across prefectural borders is the first initiative of its kind in Japan. - The four institutions will define priority items for securing stable supplies and conduct joint procurement for those priority medicines.

◆ Summary

National University Corporation Okayama University (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Okayama City; President: Yasutomo Nasu), National University Corporation Shimane University, Japanese Red Cross Society Okayama Red Cross Hospital, and Local Independent Administrative Agency Okayama City General Medical Center agreed on May 21, 2026, to ensure a high-quality, economical, and stable supply of medicines. This agreement was made under the 'Okayama-Shimane Regional Formulary Promotion Council,' jointly established by Okayama University Hospital, Shimane University Hospital, Okayama Red Cross Hospital, and Okayama City General Medical Center (hereafter referred to as the 'four institutions').

The four institutions will jointly formulate drug use guidelines (formularies) based on medical validity and economic efficiency to unify standard treatments and ensure medical quality.

To ensure a stable supply of medicines, the four institutions will define priority items and strive to secure them. As a concrete measure, they will sign an agreement on the same day for joint procurement, with Okayama University acting as the contracting entity, aiming to jointly procure priority medicines.

Okayama University Hospital and Okayama City Hospital will also implement a shared delivery service under the 'Medicines Joint Delivery Project,' which is being announced simultaneously. This delivery service aligns with the 'Guidelines to be Observed by Distribution Parties to Improve the Distribution of Ethical Pharmaceuticals.'

◆ Detailed Research Information Conclusion of Agreement on Joint Procurement of Medicines Across Medical Districts: Establishing a Stable Medicine Supply System Led by University Hospitals https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/up_load_files/press_r8/press20260521-1-1.pdf

◆ References - Okayama University Hospital https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/user/hospital/ - Shimane University Hospital https://www.med.shimane-u.ac.jp/hospital/ - Okayama Red Cross Hospital https://www.okayama-med.jrc.or.jp/ - Okayama City Hospital https://okayama-gmc.or.jp/shimin/

◆ Reference Information - Start of Medicines Joint Delivery Led by National University Hospitals: Establishing a Sustainable System by Improving Delivery Efficiency and Reducing Environmental Impact (Okayama University, Okayama City Hospital) https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000004079.000072793.html Okayama University Hospital (Kita-ku, Okayama City)

◆ Contact Information - Okayama University Hospital Assistant to the Hospital Director: Hiroyuki Yamashita Address: 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama 700-8558, Japan (Okayama University Shikata Campus) TEL: +81-86-223-7151 (Extension 6084) FAX: +81-86-235-7636

- Okayama University Medical Affairs Division Administrative Manager: Shinichi Fujii TEL: +81-86-235-6516 FAX: +81-86-235-7046 URL: https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/tp/release/release_id1550.html

<For inquiries regarding collaboration with Okayama University Hospital (Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Companies)> - Okayama University Hospital Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine Address: 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama 700-8558, Japan Please contact via the following URL: http://shin-iryo.hospital.okayama-u.ac.jp/ph_company/

<For inquiries regarding collaboration with Okayama University Hospital (Healthcare Professionals and Researchers)> - Okayama University Hospital Research Promotion Division, Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration Promotion Address: 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama 700-8558, Japan TEL: +81-86-235-7983 E-mail: [email protected] URL: http://shin-iryo.hospital.okayama-u.ac.jp/medical/

<For inquiries regarding Okayama University's Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration> - Okayama University Organization for Research and Innovation, Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration Headquarters Address: 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama 700-8530, Japan (Okayama University Tsushima Campus)