Method for providing information on shipping volume of medicine

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a method for comprehensively obtaining information on the shipping volume of a medicine and providing the information to a user. [Solution] A method for providing information on the shipping amount of a medicine is provided, the method comprising: a shipping volume information collection step which is a step for collecting information on the shipping volume of a plurality of medicines from a plurality of websites; and a shipping volume registration step which is a step for registering the collected information on the shipping volume of the plurality of medicines in a database, wherein the information registered in the database is made viewable.

Description

How to provide information on pharmaceutical shipment volumes

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for providing information on the shipment volume of pharmaceuticals.

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2005-216239 describes a drug procurement support system. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2023-067395 describes a drug sales support device. Even with these systems and devices, it is not possible to comprehensively grasp information regarding drug shipment volumes and provide it to users.

[0003] JP 2005-216239 A JP 2023-067395 A

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a method for comprehensively grasping information regarding the shipment volume of pharmaceuticals and providing the information to a user.

[0005] This invention is based on the finding that information on the shipment volume of multiple pharmaceuticals can be collected automatically in real time by crawling related sites using specific terms related to shipment volume.

[0006] The first invention relates to a method for providing information on pharmaceutical shipping volumes by a computer. This method includes a shipping volume information collection step (S110) and a shipping volume registration step (S120). This method may further include a shipping volume information output step (S130) for outputting information on the shipping volume. This method may also include an alternative pharmaceutical information provision step (S140). This method may also include a manufacturing / distributor response status collection step (S111) and a response status registration step (S121). This method may also include a response status output step (S131).

[0007] The shipping volume information collection step (S110) is a step in which a computer collects information on the shipping volumes of multiple pharmaceuticals from multiple websites. The shipping volume information collection step (S110) collects information on the shipping volumes of multiple pharmaceuticals using, for example, the terms "shipping status" or "shipping volume" contained in multiple websites. The manufacturer / distributor response status collection step (S111) is a step in which a computer collects information on the response status of manufacturers / distributors of multiple pharmaceuticals from multiple websites.

[0008] The shipping volume registration step (S120) is a step of registering collected information on the shipping volumes of multiple pharmaceuticals in a database. The information registered in the database is viewable. The database can be searched using the name of the pharmaceutical, the name of the pharmaceutical distributor, or the name of the pharmaceutical manufacturer. The response status registration step (S121) is a step of registering collected information on the response status of the marketing authorization holder in the database.

[0009] The shipping volume information output step (S130) is a step for outputting information related to the shipping volume. The response status output step (S131) ​​is a step for outputting information related to the response status of the manufacturer / distributor.

[0010] The alternative drug information providing step (S140) is a step of providing information on alternative drugs that are available for shipment and are substitutes for the searched drug when the searched drug is in a shipping adjustment state.

[0011] The second invention relates to a system 1 for providing information on the shipment volume of pharmaceuticals. This system is a system for executing the above-mentioned method. This system includes a shipment volume information collection unit 3, a shipment volume registration unit 5, and a shipment volume information output unit 7. The shipment volume information collection unit 3 is an element for collecting information on the shipment volumes of multiple pharmaceuticals from multiple websites. The shipment volume registration unit 5 is an element for registering the collected information on the shipment volumes of multiple pharmaceuticals in a database 9. The shipment volume information output unit 7 is an element for outputting the collected information on the shipment volumes of multiple pharmaceuticals registered in the database.

[0012] A third invention relates to a program for executing the above method or a non-transitory information recording medium on which the program is recorded.

[0013] The present invention can provide a method for comprehensively grasping information regarding the shipment volume of pharmaceuticals and providing it to users.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for providing information regarding the shipment volume of pharmaceuticals. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system for providing information regarding the shipment volume of pharmaceuticals. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of use of the system of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a web page regarding the shipment of a certain pharmaceutical (AAA tablets 100 mg). FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a web page regarding the shipment of another pharmaceutical (BBBB tablets 50 mg). FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of database storage.

[0015] The following describes embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, but also includes appropriate modifications of the embodiments that are obvious to those skilled in the art.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for providing information related to pharmaceutical shipment volume. As shown in FIG. 1, this method includes a shipment volume information collection step (S110) and a shipment volume registration step (S120). This method may further include a shipment volume information output step (S130) for outputting information related to the shipment volume. This method may also include an alternative pharmaceutical product information provision step (S140). This method may also include a manufacturer / distributor response status collection step (S111) and a response status registration step (S121). This method may also include a response status output step (S131).

[0017] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system for providing information related to pharmaceutical shipping volumes. As shown in Figure 2, this system 1 includes a shipping volume information collection unit 3, a shipping volume registration unit 5, a shipping volume information output unit 7, and a database 9. This system 1 may further include a response status collection unit 13, a response status registration unit 15, and a response status output unit 17. This system may also include an alternative drug information provision unit 21. This method and system are based on a computer.

[0018] A computer has an input unit, an output unit, a control unit, a calculation unit, and a memory unit, and each element is connected by a bus or the like to enable the exchange of information. For example, the memory unit may store a control program or various information. When predetermined information is input from the input unit, the control unit reads the control program stored in the memory unit. The control unit then reads the information stored in the memory unit as appropriate and transmits it to the calculation unit. The control unit also transmits the input information as appropriate to the calculation unit. The calculation unit performs calculation processing using the received various information and stores it in the memory unit. The control unit reads the calculation results stored in the memory unit and outputs them from the output unit. In this way, various processes and steps are performed. Each unit or means executes these various processes. A computer may have a processor, and the processor may realize various functions and steps. A computer may be standalone. A computer may have some of its functions distributed between a server and a terminal. In this case, it is preferable that the server and the terminal can exchange information via a network such as the Internet or an intranet. The computer may include a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory may store instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the computer to perform various processes or function as various elements. The computer may be provided with various training data to construct a learning model and perform various calculations through machine learning. In this case, the computer may perform various analyses using the learning model created through machine learning and deep learning of AI (artificial intelligence).

[0019] FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of use of the system of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, a system 1 for providing information on pharmaceutical shipment volume (also simply referred to as system 1) is connected to multiple web servers 33 and 35 via a network 31 such as the Internet. Alternatively, system 1 is configured to be accessible to multiple web pages. The web server is, for example, a web server of a pharmaceutical manufacturer, and provides information on pharmaceuticals in a viewable form. As shown in FIG. 3, system 1 for providing information on pharmaceutical shipment volume is also connected to a user's terminal 41. Therefore, the user's terminal 41 can display the information output by system 1.

[0020] Each step will be described below.

[0021] The shipment volume information collection step (S110) is a step in which a computer (system 1) collects information regarding the shipment volumes of multiple pharmaceuticals from multiple websites. System 1 is preferably configured to automatically crawl webpages containing information about pharmaceuticals, extract necessary information, and update the database. The pharmaceuticals may be medical or over-the-counter pharmaceuticals. The multiple websites contain information regarding the shipment volumes of pharmaceuticals and information regarding the response status of multiple pharmaceutical manufacturers. These websites are typically those of pharmaceutical companies or pharmaceutical manufacturers. The shipment volume information collection unit 3 of system 1 may, for example, store access information (e.g., URLs) for these websites in a memory unit and read the access information from the memory unit at any time (e.g., at regular intervals) to enable access to those websites. Furthermore, the shipment volume information collection unit 3 may store specified search keywords in the memory unit and read the search keywords at any time to enable access to specific websites. For specific websites, a learning model for accessing them may be updated using machine learning. This improves the accuracy of system 1.

[0022] The shipping volume information collection unit 3 may collect information on the shipping volumes of multiple pharmaceuticals using terms related to "shipping status" or "shipping volume" contained in multiple websites, or these terms. An example of information on the shipping volumes of multiple pharmaceuticals is the shipping volume of a manufacturer / distributor. The shipping volume information collection unit 3 extracts information on the shipping volumes of multiple pharmaceuticals from information contained in web pages related to pharmaceuticals. In this case, the shipping volume information collection unit 3 may also extract information on pharmaceuticals (pharmaceutical names) related to the shipping volumes of the multiple pharmaceuticals.

[0023] Examples of pharmaceutical shipment volumes are as follows: A. Normal shipment volume: A shipment situation in which the company's previous shipment volume or planned shipment volume is approximately 100% or more B. Reduced shipment volume: A shipment situation in which the company's previous shipment volume or planned shipment volume is approximately 80% or more but less than 100% C. Impeded shipment volume: A shipment situation in which the company's previous shipment volume or planned shipment volume is approximately less than 80% D. Suspended shipment: A situation in which no shipment has been made to the market Examples of information regarding pharmaceutical shipment volume include normal shipment volume, decreased shipment volume, impaired shipment volume, drastic decrease in shipment volume, shipping difficulty, release of shipment suspension, sales suspension, release of shipment suspension, and shipment suspension. The above are merely examples, and other categories may also be used. Terms and synonyms indicating pharmaceutical shipment volume may be stored in a storage unit as appropriate and used when extracting or organizing information.

[0024] The MAH response status collection step (S111) is a step in which a computer collects information on the response status of multiple pharmaceutical MAHs from multiple websites. The response status collection unit 13 extracts information on the response status of pharmaceutical MAHs from pharmaceutical web pages. To avoid redundancy, the response status of pharmaceutical MAHs will hereinafter also be referred to simply as "response status."

[0025] Examples of the response status of a manufacturer are as follows: 1. Normal shipping: A situation in which all orders can be fulfilled or sufficient inventory is secured 2. Limited shipping (company circumstances): A situation in which all orders cannot be fulfilled due to company circumstances 3. Limited shipping (influence of other company's products): A situation in which all orders cannot be fulfilled due to influence of other company's products, etc. 4. Limited shipping (other): A situation in which all orders cannot be fulfilled due to other reasons The above are merely examples, and other categorizations may also be used. Terms and synonyms indicating the response status of a manufacturer may be stored in a storage unit as appropriate and used when extracting or organizing information.

[0026] The shipping volume registration step (S120) is a step of registering collected information regarding the shipping volumes of multiple pharmaceuticals in the database 9. (Part of) the information registered in the database 9 is viewable. The database 9 is preferably searchable using the name of the pharmaceutical, the name of the pharmaceutical distributor, or the name of the pharmaceutical manufacturer. The database 9 stores, in association with the name of the pharmaceutical, for example, the name of the pharmaceutical distributor, the name of the pharmaceutical manufacturer, information regarding the shipping volume of the pharmaceutical, information regarding the response status of the pharmaceutical manufacturer, information regarding alternative pharmaceuticals, information regarding the type of alternative pharmaceutical, pharmaceutical identification information, the pharmaceutical price, and the sales price of the pharmaceutical. The database 9 may store some of this information. The shipping volume registration unit 5 stores (updates the information) the extracted information regarding the shipping volume of the pharmaceutical in the database 9 in a searchable state. In this way, the shipping volume and response status of the target pharmaceutical can be searched using the name of the pharmaceutical, the name of the pharmaceutical distributor, or the name of the pharmaceutical manufacturer.

[0027] The response status registration step (S121) is a step of registering the collected information on the response status of pharmaceutical manufacturers in a database. The response status registration unit 15 stores the extracted information on the response status of pharmaceutical manufacturers in the database 9, or updates the information stored in the database 9 using the information on the response status of pharmaceutical manufacturers. This operation is performed for multiple websites (web pages).

[0028] The shipping volume information output step (S130) is a step for outputting information related to the shipping volume. The shipping volume information output unit 7 outputs the information stored in the database in response to a request from the user (terminal 41), for example.

[0029] The response status output step (S131) ​​is a step for outputting information about the response status of the pharmaceutical manufacturer / distributor. The response status output unit 17 outputs information about the response status of the pharmaceutical manufacturer / distributor in response to a request from the user (terminal 41).

[0030] It is preferable that the system 1 automatically (for example, periodically) crawls related sites and updates the database, thereby enabling the system 1 to automatically provide information on the shipment volume of multiple pharmaceuticals in real time.

[0031] The alternative drug information provision process (S140) is a process for providing information on alternative drugs that are available for shipment when the searched drug is in a shipping adjustment state. A shipping adjustment state occurs when shipping of the drug is difficult due to shipping volume and response status. System 1 determines whether a drug is in a shipping adjustment state based on either or both of the drug's shipping volume and response status. To achieve this, information indicating the shipping adjustment state is stored in the storage unit based on each listing, and whether a drug is in a shipping adjustment state can be determined based on the drug's shipping volume and response status. Database 9 stores information on alternative drugs for each drug (1. drugs with the same target disease and the same active ingredient; 2. drugs with the same target disease and different active ingredients; 3. drugs with different target diseases but the same active ingredient). For example, suppose a user (at terminal 41) inquires about the status of a certain drug A to system 1. Suppose the system 1's database 9 indicates that the shipping volume of drug A is "suspended." The system 1 then reads from the database 9 information on the shipping volume or availability of drug B, which is an alternative drug to the searched drug A. If the shipping volume of the alternative drug (drug B) is "normal shipping volume," the system 1 may output to the user (at the terminal 41) information on drug B (one or more of the following information: information on the name of drug B, the package insert of drug B, a statement that drug B is available, the manufacturer / distributor of drug B, the active ingredient of drug B, and information on the sales performance of drug B) in addition to the information on drug A described above.

[0032] The program of this specification causes a computer to execute the above-described steps and function as the above-described system 1. Such a program is stored in, for example, a memory. The program then causes a processor or a computer to execute the above-described steps. Examples of recording media include CDs, CD-ROMs, DVDs, USB memory, hard disks, and disks on a server.

[0033] Figure 4 shows an example of a webpage related to the shipment of a certain drug (AAA tablets 100 mg). Figure 5 shows an example of a webpage related to the shipment of another drug (BBBB tablets 50 mg). Figures 4 and 5 are quoted from "Definitions of terms related to the supply status of prescription drugs and future information provision," Committee on Stability Assurance of the Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers' Associations of Japan, May 31, 2022.

[0034] The shipping volume information collection unit 3 extracts the name of a drug from the section "AAA Tablets 100 mg" included in the web page shown in FIG. 4. The shipping volume registration unit 5 may then register the extracted drug name in the database 9 (or update the information). The shipping volume information collection unit 3 also extracts information about the shipping volume of AAAA Tablets 100 mg from the section "Shipping volume: B "Decreased shipping volume"" included in the web page of FIG. 4. The shipping volume registration unit 5 records "Shipping volume: B "Decreased shipping volume"" as the shipping volume information for the extracted drug name (AAA Tablets 100 mg) from the recorded information in the database 9 (or updates the shipping volume information). Because expressions and locations related to the shipping volume of drugs vary depending on the web page, various patterns may be used as training data to update the learning model. This improves the accuracy of collecting shipping volume information by the system 1.

[0035] The shipping volume information collection unit 3 extracts "BBBB Tablets 50 mg" as the drug name from the web page of FIG. 5 and extracts information regarding the shipping volume of the drug (BBBB Tablets 50 mg) from the section "Shipping Volume: D" "Shipped." The shipping volume registration unit 5 records the shipping volume information (D "Shipped") for the extracted drug name (BBBB Tablets 50 mg) from the recorded information in the database 9 (or updates the shipping volume information). The shipping volume information collection unit 3 may also analyze the sentence "Regarding BBBB Tablets 50 mg, ... it will cause a disruption to stable supply" in FIG. 5 to obtain information regarding the shipping volume of the drug "BBBB Tablets 50 mg." Analyzing sentences contained in a web page in this manner to obtain information regarding the shipping volume of a drug is one embodiment of this system 1 and this method.

[0036] In the example of FIG. 4 , the response status collection unit 13 extracts the name of the drug (AAA tablets 100 mg) and, in association with the words "response status of the drug manufacturer / distributor," extracts information relating to the response status of the drug manufacturer / distributor (limited shipments (impact of other companies' products)). The response status registration unit 15 stores the extracted information relating to the response status of the drug manufacturer / distributor of the drug (AAA tablets 100 mg) (limited shipments (impact of other companies' products)) in the database 9, or uses this information to update the information relating to the response status of the drug manufacturer / distributor of the drug (AAA tablets 100 mg).

[0037] In the example of Figure 5, the response status collection unit 13 extracts the name of the drug (BBBB Tablets 50 mg) and the phrase "shipment suspended" from the text of the webpage, and uses a learning model to classify the response status of the drug manufacturer / distributor and obtain information about the response status of the drug manufacturer / distributor (e.g., "limited shipment (other)"). The response status registration unit 15 stores the extracted information about the response status of the drug manufacturer / distributor (BBBB Tablets 50 mg) (limited shipment (other)) in the database 9 or uses this information to update the information about the response status of the drug manufacturer / distributor (BBBB Tablets 50 mg).

[0038] Fig. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of database storage. In the example shown in Fig. 6, the names of pharmaceutical products, pharmaceutical distributors, pharmaceutical manufacturers, information on pharmaceutical shipment volumes, information on the status of pharmaceutical manufacturers' responses, and information on alternative pharmaceutical products are stored in association with pharmaceutical product names.

[0039] For example, suppose a user (or their terminal 41) accesses a website provided by the system 1 for providing information on pharmaceutical shipping volumes via the Internet 31. The user then enters the name of the pharmaceutical product, BBBB Tablets 50 mg, into the search section of the website provided by the system 1. The system 1 then retrieves "Shipping Suspended," which is shipping volume information for BBBB Tablets 50 mg, from the database 9. The system 1 then outputs information to the user's terminal 41 so that the website can display that BBBB Tablets 50 mg are "shipment suspended." The system 1 also searches for alternative drugs to BBBB Tablets 50 mg registered in the database 9. The system 1 then retrieves, for example, AAAA Tablets 100 mg (e.g., generic versions of BBBB Tablets) that are pharmaceutical products for the same disease as BBBB Tablets 50 mg and have the same active ingredient. The system 1 then retrieves, from the database 9, either or both of information regarding the shipping volume and response status of AAAA Tablets 100 mg. The system 1 then outputs information so that the user (at the terminal 41) can display information on the website about the AAAA tablets that are an alternative medicine and can be provided.

[0040] Since the present invention relates to the sale of medicines and the like, it can be used in e-commerce, the pharmaceutical sales industry, etc. Furthermore, the program and information recording medium of the present invention can be effectively used by companies that provide e-commerce.

[0041] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 System for providing information on pharmaceutical shipment volume 3 Shipment volume information collection unit 5 Shipment volume registration unit 7 Shipment volume information output unit 9 Database 13 Response status collection unit 15 Response status registration unit 17 Response status output unit 21 Substitute drug information provision unit 31 Network 33 Web server 35 Web server 41 User terminal

Claims

1. A method for providing information on the shipping volume of a drug, comprising: a shipping volume information gathering step in which a computer reads out a predetermined search keyword from a storage unit, accesses a plurality of websites using the read out search keyword, crawls the plurality of websites, and collects information on the shipping volume of a plurality of drugs; and a shipping volume registration step in which the collected information on the shipping volumes of a plurality of drugs is registered in a database, the information registered in the database being made accessible to the public; the method further comprises an alternative drug information providing step in which, when the searched drug is in a shipping adjustment state, the computer provides information on an alternative to the searched drug that is available for shipment, the alternative to the searched drug being selected from: drugs with the same target disease and the same active ingredient as the searched drug; drugs with the same target disease and different active ingredients; and drugs with different target diseases but the same active ingredient.

2. A method for providing information on pharmaceutical shipping volumes as described in claim 1, wherein the shipping volume information gathering step is a step of gathering information on the shipping volumes of a plurality of pharmaceutical products using the terms "shipping status" or "shipping volume" contained on the plurality of websites.

3. A method for providing information on pharmaceutical shipment volume as described in claim 1, wherein the database is searchable using the name of the pharmaceutical, the name of the pharmaceutical distributor, or the name of the pharmaceutical manufacturer.

4. A method for providing information on pharmaceutical shipment volume as described in claim 1, further comprising: a manufacturing distributor response status collection step for collecting information on the response status of the pharmaceutical manufacturers / distributors from the plurality of websites; and a response status registration step for registering the collected information on the response status of the manufacturing distributors in the database.

5. A method for providing information on the shipping volume of a plurality of pharmaceutical products, comprising: a shipping volume information gathering step of reading a predetermined search keyword from a storage unit, accessing a plurality of websites using the read search keyword, crawling the plurality of websites, and collecting information on the shipping volume of a plurality of pharmaceutical products; and a shipping volume registration step of registering the collected information on the shipping volume of a plurality of pharmaceutical products in a database, the information registered in the database being made viewable, the method further comprising an alternative pharmaceutical product information providing step of providing information on an alternative pharmaceutical product that is a shippable product of the searched pharmaceutical product when the searched pharmaceutical product is in a shipping adjustment state, the alternative pharmaceutical product of the searched pharmaceutical product being selected from: pharmaceutical products with the same target disease and the same active ingredient as the searched pharmaceutical product; pharmaceutical products with the same target disease and different active ingredients as the searched pharmaceutical product; and pharmaceutical products with the same active ingredient but with a different target disease but with the same active ingredient.

6. A non-transitory information recording medium having the program according to claim 5 recorded thereon.

7. A method for providing information regarding the shipping volume of a drug, comprising: a shipping volume information gathering step in which a computer reads out access information to a plurality of websites from a storage unit, accesses the plurality of websites, crawls the plurality of websites, and collects information regarding the shipping volumes of a plurality of drugs; and a shipping volume registration step in which the collected information regarding the shipping volumes of the plurality of drugs is registered in a database, the information registered in the database being made accessible to viewing; the method further comprising an alternative drug information providing step in which, when the searched drug is in a shipping adjustment state, the computer provides information regarding an alternative to the searched drug that is available for shipment, the alternative to the searched drug being selected from: drugs with the same target disease and the same active ingredient as the searched drug; drugs with the same target disease and different active ingredients; and drugs with different target diseases but the same active ingredient.

Images