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My wardsNotice on multiple and duplicate medications
Overview
Itabashi Ward sends a notice to National Health Insurance members aged 60 and over whose medicine use shows signs of multiple or duplicate medications. The notice is based on an analysis of claims data. Show it to your hospital or pharmacy and talk about your future medications. Keep your medicines recorded in one medication notebook. Receiving the notice does not mean you must reduce your medicines. Beware of refund scams: the ward never refunds money through ATM operations.
- Residents only
What multiple and duplicate medications mean
Taking more kinds of medicine than needed can change how medicines work. It can cause unexpected side effects or dizziness, which raises the risk of falls. For older people, preventing falls helps reduce the risk of being bedridden and of dementia, and helps people stay healthy for longer. It may also help hold down medical costs in the future.
Keep one medication notebook
A medication notebook records the names of prescribed medicines, the amount, when to take them and how often. Showing it at a medical institution lets staff see which medicines were prescribed, when and where, so that duplicate medicines and harmful combinations can be avoided before a new prescription.
Several notebooks, for example one per pharmacy, mean that doctors and pharmacists do not get correct information. The same ingredient may then be prescribed again, or drug interactions may not be checked. Keep one notebook and bring it to every visit. Ask your pharmacy if you want to combine notebooks.
The notice
The ward sends the notice to insured members aged 60 and over who show a tendency to take multiple or duplicate medications, based on an analysis of claims data. If you receive it, show it to the hospital or pharmacy where you get your medicines and talk about your future medications.
Receiving the notice does not mean you must reduce your medicines.
Refund fraud
Callers pretending to be Itabashi Ward staff have asked for a mobile phone number for a check of the medical cost notice, or said that a refund can be received at an ATM. This is refund fraud. Money is never returned by operating an ATM at a bank or convenience store after a call from the ward office. If a call seems suspicious, contact the nearest police station immediately.
Mailing and questions
- Four mailings in total, planned for June, July, September and October 2026.
- The notice is sent by the National Health Insurance Benefits Unit through a contractor.
- The contractor is bound by strict confidentiality, and personal information is used only for this program.
- Direct questions about the content to the call center listed on the notice.
Related links
- Living well with medicines (Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Bureau of Health and Medical Services, external website)
- Medicine instructions and medication notebook (Tokyo Pharmacists Association, external website)
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