Alfresa and Local Governments: Rethinking Future Pharmaceutical Supply and Healthcare Systems
Alfresa Co., Ltd. will make its first appearance at the '6th Smart City Promotion EXPO' to propose and discuss sustainable pharmaceutical supply systems, including during disasters, with local governments. They will showcase their 'Disaster Support Container Pharmacy' and 'Drone-based Pharmaceutical Delivery' initiatives.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 7, 2026 at 23:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 7, 2026 at 14:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 7, 2026 at 15:08 (36 min after Collected)
Alfresa Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Yusuke Fukujin; hereinafter "Alfresa"), a social infrastructure company responsible for pharmaceutical distribution, will make its first appearance at the "6th Smart City Promotion EXPO" to be held at Tokyo Big Sight from May 13 (Wednesday) to 15 (Friday), 2026.
This exhibition is Japan's largest specialized exhibition in the smart city field, attracting local government officials from across the country. Through the exhibition of its initiatives, "Disaster Support Container Pharmacy" and "Drone-based Pharmaceutical Delivery," Alfresa will propose and exchange ideas and share information with local governments on the ideal form of a sustainable pharmaceutical supply system, including during disasters.
■ Background to the Exhibition
In recent years, natural disasters such as heavy rains, typhoons, and earthquakes have frequently occurred in various regions, leading to problems such as infrastructure degradation, including road closures and disruption of transportation networks (※1). Meanwhile, in regions facing depopulation and aging, maintaining a pharmaceutical supply system, both in peacetime and emergencies, has become a major challenge due to factors such as a decrease in medical institutions and pharmacies, and difficulty in securing medical professionals. In fact, as of April 1, 2024, approximately 51.5% of municipalities nationwide are designated as depopulated areas, accounting for about 63.1% of the national land area. The population ratio in depopulated areas is on a declining trend at approximately 9.3%, and the proportion of people aged 65 and over is 39.7%, significantly exceeding the national average (28.0%) (※2).
In response to these social challenges, Alfresa, as a social infrastructure company responsible for pharmaceutical distribution, has been working to build a "pharmaceutical supply model that can be utilized in peacetime and function during disasters." Through this exhibition, we will introduce these initiatives in a concrete form and explore effective medical infrastructure through dialogue with local governments.
※1 Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism "White Paper on Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism 2024"
※2 Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications "Current Status of Depopulated Areas (2024)"
■ Exhibition Content
Disaster Support Container Pharmacy (Portable Pharmaceutical Supply Base)
This is a portable pharmaceutical supply facility equipped with dispensing functions that can be quickly installed in disaster-stricken areas during large-scale disasters. It is a modified cargo container equipped with necessary facilities for pharmaceutical storage and handling (refrigeration equipment, generators, etc.). It can store approximately 1,500 types of pharmaceuticals and is designed with security and durability in mind. It can also be utilized as a support base after lifelines are restored.
We are working to strengthen regional medical systems by concluding agreements with local governments, thereby building a pharmaceutical supply support system for disasters.
Alfresa also supports the formulation of regional formularies. Through support for the formulation and operation of recommended pharmaceuticals in the region during peacetime, we aim to identify necessary pharmaceuticals during disasters and connect this to the establishment of a pharmaceutical supply support system.
On the day of the exhibition, the exterior of the Disaster Support Container Pharmacy will be displayed almost life-size, and the actual equipment installed inside will also be exhibited.
Drone-based Pharmaceutical Delivery
In Kawanehoncho, Shizuoka Prefecture, we are conducting regular drone-based pharmaceutical deliveries in collaboration with Aeronext Inc. and NEXT DELIVERY Inc. By operating and verifying this system in peacetime in areas where logistics are easily affected by road conditions and terrain, we are expanding the options for delivery methods that can also be utilized in emergencies.
We are promoting a new phase-free logistics infrastructure that protects communities through drone delivery compliant with the "Guidelines for Drone-based Pharmaceutical Delivery."
On the day of the exhibition, a real drone for pharmaceutical delivery will be displayed.
■ Event Overview
Name: The 6th Smart City Promotion EXPO (within Public Week 2026)
Dates: May 13 (Wednesday) - 15 (Friday), 2026, 10:00-17:00
Venue: Tokyo Big Sight (West Halls 1-2)
Our Booth: Smart City Promotion EXPO (G6-2)
HP: https://www.publicweek.jp/ja-jp.html
Visitor Registration (Free): https://www.publicweek.jp/ja-jp/register.html
Alfresa will continue to contribute to regional healthcare and support people's health through stable pharmaceutical supply and providing solutions to medical sites.
■ About Alfresa Co., Ltd.
Since its establishment in October 2004, Alfresa Co., Ltd. has provided various services that contribute to people's health, primarily through its wholesale business supplying medical pharmaceuticals to hospitals and pharmacies. In addition to medical pharmaceuticals, we procure medical devices, diagnostic reagents, and nutritional foods from approximately 1,000 domestic and international manufacturers and deliver them safely and securely to hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies. In recent years, utilizing our network of approximately 170 bases nationwide, we have contributed to regional comprehensive care systems tailored to the circumstances of each region.
This exhibition is Japan's largest specialized exhibition in the smart city field, attracting local government officials from across the country. Through the exhibition of its initiatives, "Disaster Support Container Pharmacy" and "Drone-based Pharmaceutical Delivery," Alfresa will propose and exchange ideas and share information with local governments on the ideal form of a sustainable pharmaceutical supply system, including during disasters.
■ Background to the Exhibition
In recent years, natural disasters such as heavy rains, typhoons, and earthquakes have frequently occurred in various regions, leading to problems such as infrastructure degradation, including road closures and disruption of transportation networks (※1). Meanwhile, in regions facing depopulation and aging, maintaining a pharmaceutical supply system, both in peacetime and emergencies, has become a major challenge due to factors such as a decrease in medical institutions and pharmacies, and difficulty in securing medical professionals. In fact, as of April 1, 2024, approximately 51.5% of municipalities nationwide are designated as depopulated areas, accounting for about 63.1% of the national land area. The population ratio in depopulated areas is on a declining trend at approximately 9.3%, and the proportion of people aged 65 and over is 39.7%, significantly exceeding the national average (28.0%) (※2).
In response to these social challenges, Alfresa, as a social infrastructure company responsible for pharmaceutical distribution, has been working to build a "pharmaceutical supply model that can be utilized in peacetime and function during disasters." Through this exhibition, we will introduce these initiatives in a concrete form and explore effective medical infrastructure through dialogue with local governments.
※1 Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism "White Paper on Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism 2024"
※2 Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications "Current Status of Depopulated Areas (2024)"
■ Exhibition Content
Disaster Support Container Pharmacy (Portable Pharmaceutical Supply Base)
This is a portable pharmaceutical supply facility equipped with dispensing functions that can be quickly installed in disaster-stricken areas during large-scale disasters. It is a modified cargo container equipped with necessary facilities for pharmaceutical storage and handling (refrigeration equipment, generators, etc.). It can store approximately 1,500 types of pharmaceuticals and is designed with security and durability in mind. It can also be utilized as a support base after lifelines are restored.
We are working to strengthen regional medical systems by concluding agreements with local governments, thereby building a pharmaceutical supply support system for disasters.
Alfresa also supports the formulation of regional formularies. Through support for the formulation and operation of recommended pharmaceuticals in the region during peacetime, we aim to identify necessary pharmaceuticals during disasters and connect this to the establishment of a pharmaceutical supply support system.
On the day of the exhibition, the exterior of the Disaster Support Container Pharmacy will be displayed almost life-size, and the actual equipment installed inside will also be exhibited.
Drone-based Pharmaceutical Delivery
In Kawanehoncho, Shizuoka Prefecture, we are conducting regular drone-based pharmaceutical deliveries in collaboration with Aeronext Inc. and NEXT DELIVERY Inc. By operating and verifying this system in peacetime in areas where logistics are easily affected by road conditions and terrain, we are expanding the options for delivery methods that can also be utilized in emergencies.
We are promoting a new phase-free logistics infrastructure that protects communities through drone delivery compliant with the "Guidelines for Drone-based Pharmaceutical Delivery."
On the day of the exhibition, a real drone for pharmaceutical delivery will be displayed.
■ Event Overview
Name: The 6th Smart City Promotion EXPO (within Public Week 2026)
Dates: May 13 (Wednesday) - 15 (Friday), 2026, 10:00-17:00
Venue: Tokyo Big Sight (West Halls 1-2)
Our Booth: Smart City Promotion EXPO (G6-2)
HP: https://www.publicweek.jp/ja-jp.html
Visitor Registration (Free): https://www.publicweek.jp/ja-jp/register.html
Alfresa will continue to contribute to regional healthcare and support people's health through stable pharmaceutical supply and providing solutions to medical sites.
■ About Alfresa Co., Ltd.
Since its establishment in October 2004, Alfresa Co., Ltd. has provided various services that contribute to people's health, primarily through its wholesale business supplying medical pharmaceuticals to hospitals and pharmacies. In addition to medical pharmaceuticals, we procure medical devices, diagnostic reagents, and nutritional foods from approximately 1,000 domestic and international manufacturers and deliver them safely and securely to hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies. In recent years, utilizing our network of approximately 170 bases nationwide, we have contributed to regional comprehensive care systems tailored to the circumstances of each region.