Alfresa, in collaboration with local governments, considers the future of pharmaceutical supply and healthcare systems
Alfresa will make its first appearance at the "6th Smart City Promotion EXPO" to be held at Tokyo Big Sight. The company will showcase its "Disaster Relief Container Pharmacy" and "Drone-based Pharmaceutical Delivery" initiatives, aiming to propose and exchange ideas with local governments on sustainable pharmaceutical supply systems, including during disasters.
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- 📰 Published: May 7, 2026 at 23:00
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Alfresa Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: 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 Wednesday, May 13 to Friday, May 15, 2026.
This exhibition is Japan's largest specialized exhibition in the smart city field, attracting local government officials from all over the country. Alfresa will showcase its initiatives, the "Disaster Relief Container Pharmacy" and "Drone-based Pharmaceutical Delivery," to propose sustainable pharmaceutical supply systems, including during disasters, to local governments, and create opportunities for discussion and information sharing.
■ Background of Exhibition
In recent years, natural disasters such as heavy rains, typhoons, and earthquakes have occurred in various parts of the country, leading to problems such as road blockages and disruption of transportation networks, resulting in a decline in infrastructure functions (※1). Meanwhile, in regions facing depopulation and aging, maintaining pharmaceutical supply systems, both in normal times and during emergencies, has become a major challenge due to factors such as a decrease in medical institutions and pharmacies and difficulties in securing medical professionals. 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%, while 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 normal times and function during disasters." Through this exhibition, we will introduce these initiatives in a concrete form and, through dialogue with local governments, explore effective medical infrastructure.
※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 (Reiwa 6)"
■ Exhibition Content
Disaster Relief Container Pharmacy (Portable Pharmaceutical Supply Base)
This is a portable pharmaceutical supply facility equipped with dispensing functions that can be quickly set up in disaster-stricken areas during large-scale disasters. Cargo containers are modified and 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, such as concluding agreements with local governments, and are building a pharmaceutical supply support system for disasters.
Alfresa is also working to support the formulation of regional formularies. Through support from the formulation to the operation of recommended pharmaceuticals in the region during normal times, 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 Relief 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 pharmaceutical deliveries using drones in collaboration with Aeronext Inc. and NEXT DELIVERY Inc. By repeatedly operating and verifying in normal times in areas where logistics are easily affected by road conditions and geographical factors, we are expanding the options for delivery methods that can be utilized in emergencies.
Through drone delivery compliant with the "Guidelines for Drone-based Pharmaceutical Delivery," we are promoting a new phase-free logistics infrastructure that protects communities.
On the day of the exhibition, a real drone for pharmaceutical delivery will be displayed.
■ Event Overview
Name: 6th Smart City Promotion EXPO (within Local Government & Public Week 2026)
Dates: May 13 (Wed) - 15 (Fri), 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 by ensuring a stable supply of pharmaceuticals 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 of supplying ethical pharmaceuticals to hospitals and pharmacies. In addition to ethical 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 been working on community-based integrated 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 all over the country. Alfresa will showcase its initiatives, the "Disaster Relief Container Pharmacy" and "Drone-based Pharmaceutical Delivery," to propose sustainable pharmaceutical supply systems, including during disasters, to local governments, and create opportunities for discussion and information sharing.
■ Background of Exhibition
In recent years, natural disasters such as heavy rains, typhoons, and earthquakes have occurred in various parts of the country, leading to problems such as road blockages and disruption of transportation networks, resulting in a decline in infrastructure functions (※1). Meanwhile, in regions facing depopulation and aging, maintaining pharmaceutical supply systems, both in normal times and during emergencies, has become a major challenge due to factors such as a decrease in medical institutions and pharmacies and difficulties in securing medical professionals. 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%, while 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 normal times and function during disasters." Through this exhibition, we will introduce these initiatives in a concrete form and, through dialogue with local governments, explore effective medical infrastructure.
※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 (Reiwa 6)"
■ Exhibition Content
Disaster Relief Container Pharmacy (Portable Pharmaceutical Supply Base)
This is a portable pharmaceutical supply facility equipped with dispensing functions that can be quickly set up in disaster-stricken areas during large-scale disasters. Cargo containers are modified and 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, such as concluding agreements with local governments, and are building a pharmaceutical supply support system for disasters.
Alfresa is also working to support the formulation of regional formularies. Through support from the formulation to the operation of recommended pharmaceuticals in the region during normal times, 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 Relief 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 pharmaceutical deliveries using drones in collaboration with Aeronext Inc. and NEXT DELIVERY Inc. By repeatedly operating and verifying in normal times in areas where logistics are easily affected by road conditions and geographical factors, we are expanding the options for delivery methods that can be utilized in emergencies.
Through drone delivery compliant with the "Guidelines for Drone-based Pharmaceutical Delivery," we are promoting a new phase-free logistics infrastructure that protects communities.
On the day of the exhibition, a real drone for pharmaceutical delivery will be displayed.
■ Event Overview
Name: 6th Smart City Promotion EXPO (within Local Government & Public Week 2026)
Dates: May 13 (Wed) - 15 (Fri), 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 by ensuring a stable supply of pharmaceuticals 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 of supplying ethical pharmaceuticals to hospitals and pharmacies. In addition to ethical 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 been working on community-based integrated care systems tailored to the circumstances of each region.