{"id":773,"date":"2026-10-14T16:07:12","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T07:07:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tohoyk.co.jp\/en\/?p=773"},"modified":"2026-10-14T16:07:14","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T07:07:14","slug":"maruishi-pharmaceutical-and-toho-pharmaceutical-conduct-test-run-of-shinkansen-transport-for-general-anesthetics-in-preparation-for-disasters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tohoyk.co.jp\/en\/cate-others-en\/773\/","title":{"rendered":"Maruishi Pharmaceutical and TOHO PHARMACEUTICAL Conduct Test Run of Shinkansen Transport for General Anesthetics in Preparation for Disasters"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Maruishi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka; President and Representative Director: Katsuhito Inoue; hereinafter \u201cMaruishi Pharmaceutical\u201d) and TOHO HOLDINGS CO.,LTD. (Headquarters: Tokyo; Representative Director, President and CEO: Hiromi Edahiro; hereinafter \u201cTOHO HOLDINGS\u201d), as members of the Study Group for the Establishment of BCP System*1, have been conducting ongoing discussions toward the establishment of a stable pharmaceutical supply framework (BCP system) in the event of a large-scale disaster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recently, Maruishi Pharmaceutical and TOHO PHARMACEUTICAL CO.,LTD. (Headquarters: Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Akira Umada; hereinafter \u201cTOHO PHARMACEUTICAL\u201d), a pharmaceutical wholesaling subsidiary of TOHO HOLDINGS, conducted, with the cooperation of Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central) , West Japan Railway Company (JR West), East Japan Railway Company (JR East), and group companies of the respective JR companies, an emergency transport demonstration experiment utilizing the Shinkansen. This experiment was designed to simulate the supply of pharmaceuticals to the Hokuriku region, where there are concerns about road traffic restrictions and disruptions to port logistics infrastructure during disasters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Purpose of the Demonstration Test
In the event of a large-scale disaster, road disruptions, traffic restrictions, and the breakdown of logistics networks pose significant challenges. Assuming a situation where supply chains to the Sea of Japan side (such as the Hokuriku and Noto regions) were severed owing to an earthquake, heavy snow, etc., this demonstration experiment verified to what extent the modal shift as a BCP strategy in the Pacific coast route using the Shinkansen, which has high recovery capability and punctuality, would be effective in emergency transportation of pharmaceuticals.
\nIn particular, this demonstration experiment represented a step up from the previous one conducted in January 2026 between Tokyo and Hiroshima, evolving into Shinkansen logistics along a wide-area transport route connecting networks of the three JR companies, now including JR East. Furthermore, the target items selected were general anesthetics and hand sanitizer, both of which are critically important for life-saving medical procedures in disaster-stricken areas. Although both products are room-temperature-controlled, in anticipation of the logistical challenges posed by the extreme heat of summer, a period when transportation is particularly difficult, we decided to conduct a logistics demonstration experiment under strict temperature control using the SALM*2 constant-temperature transport device developed by TOHO PHARMACEUTICAL.

\n*1 The Study Group for the Establishment of BCP System: An organization that aims to build a resilient logistics network that ensures uninterrupted supply even in the event of an emergency, through collaboration among pharmaceutical wholesalers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and logistics companies specializing in prescription pharmaceuticals.
\n*2 The Constant-Temperature Transport Device \u201cSALM\u201d: A high-performance transport device that achieves the strict temperature control essential for pharmaceutical transport without the need for an external power source<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Results of the Demonstration Test
In this demonstration test, no operational delays or temperature deviations occurred throughout the entire process, including transportation by the Shinkansen from Hiroshima Station to Kanazawa Station. In addition, temperature control within the SALM functioned properly, and no damage to product packaging or discrepancies in quantity were observed, resulting in the successful completion of smooth transportation. These results confirmed that a logistics operation combining the rapid delivery by and punctuality of the Shinkansen, which is characterized by strong recovery capabilities, with temperature-controlled transport technology can function effectively even in emergencies.
\nIn light of the results of this demonstration test, Maruishi Pharmaceutical and TOHO HOLDINGS will further deepen their partnership to realize a BCP that ensures the uninterrupted supply of pharmaceuticals not only in normal times but also in emergencies. By promoting wide-ranging collaboration that transcends industry and regional boundaries, Maruishi Pharmaceutical and TOHO HOLDINGS will work together as one to build a more resilient and sustainable pharmaceutical supply system.

\n Overview of the Demonstration
Date Conducted: September 11, 2026
\nCargo: Propofol Intravenous Injection 1% 20 mL Maruishi (for general anesthesia and sedation)
\nPropofol Intravenous Injection 1% 50 mL Maruishi (for general anesthesia and sedation)
\nWELPAS Antiseptic Solution for Hand 0.2%
\nEquipment Used: The Constant-Temperature Transport Device \u201cSALM\u201c developed by TOHO PHARMACEUTICAL
\nTransportation Route: From TOHO PHARMACEUTICAL Logistics Center, TBC Hiroshima (Hiroshima Prefecture) to TBC Hokuriku (Ishikawa Prefecture)
\n*Shinkansen transportation between Hiroshima Station and Tokyo Station was conducted on the Nozomi service.
\nTransfer to the Hokuriku Shinkansen at Tokyo Station and travel to Kanazawa Station on the Kagayaki Shinkansen\nRoles of Each Company: Maruishi Pharmaceutical provided the pharmaceuticals for transport.
\nTOHO PHARMACEUTICAL conducted logistics operations at the departure and arrival sites.
\nEast Japan Railway Company, JR East Logistics Co., Ltd., Central Japan Railway Company, JR Central Logistics Co., Ltd., West Japan Railway Company, JR West Marnix Co., Ltd.
\nOverall coordination of Shinkansen transportation and practical operations such as cargo handling within station premises\nItems Verified:
(1) The potential for a modal shift as a BCP strategy using a Shinkansen detour route along the Pacific coast, assuming a disruption of rail, road, and port operations due to a disaster on the Sea of Japan coast\n
(2) Verification of the effectiveness of the Honshu wide-area Shinkansen logistics implemented through collaboration among the three JR companies for ensuring a stable supply of pharmaceuticals\n
(3) Verification of logistics with strict temperature control using the SALM constant-temperature transport system during periods of extreme heat<\/p>\n\n\n\n


About Maruishi Pharmaceutical
\nMaruishi Pharmaceutical was founded in 1888 as a manufacturer of drugs listed in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia (basic drugs). Leveraging the technology, knowledge, and expertise it has cultivated over its more than 130-year history, the company is contributing to healthcare by conducting a wide range of research, development, and dissemination of pharmaceuticals, with the primary goal of improving patients\u2019 quality of life.
\nIn recent years, building on its business foundations in perioperative care, infection control, and basic drugs, Maruishi Pharmaceutical has also been expanding into acute and emergency care as well as supportive care (cancer supportive care
\nFor more information about Maruishi Pharmaceutical, please visit https:\/\/www.maruishi-pharm.co.jp\/english\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n


About TOHO HOLDINGS
\nTOHO HOLDINGS is a corporate group active in the medical, nursing and healthcare fields, engaged in pharmaceutical wholesaling, dispensing pharmacy, manufacturing and sales of pharmaceuticals, and development and provision of customer support systems under the Group slogan \u201cTotal Commitment to Good Health.\u201d TOHO HOLDINGS also proactively promotes initiatives for regional medical collaboration, nursing and home care.
\nThe Group has made it its social mission to ensure \u201csafe and secure distribution of pharmaceuticals,\u201d and is taking on the challenge of innovation in pharmaceutical distribution, including the active introduction of cutting-edge technology to its logistics centers and dramatic improvements in logistics efficiency through thorough automation.
\t\nFor more information about TOHO HOLDINGS, please visit https:\/\/www.tohohd.co.jp\/en\/.<\/p>\n

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Maruishi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka; President and Representative Director: Katsuhito Inoue […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_editorskit_title_hidden":false,"_editorskit_reading_time":0,"_editorskit_is_block_options_detached":false,"_editorskit_block_options_position":"{}","vkexunit_cta_each_option":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[136],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-773","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-cate-others-en"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tohoyk.co.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/773","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tohoyk.co.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tohoyk.co.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tohoyk.co.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tohoyk.co.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=773"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.tohoyk.co.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/773\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":779,"href":"https:\/\/www.tohoyk.co.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/773\/revisions\/779"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tohoyk.co.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=773"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tohoyk.co.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=773"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tohoyk.co.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=773"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}