Yoshihiro Tomisawa (6th year, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy *at the time)

Hello to everyone reading this article. My name is Yoshihiro Tomisawa, and I participated in the 2019 Advanced Regulatory Science Overseas Program.  

I would like to talk about the features of this program and what I learned from completing it.

The most distinctive feature of this program is the opportunity to learn about the "value chain of the pharmaceutical industry" at a "world-leading" level. The pharmaceutical industry's value chain begins with basic research in companies and academia, followed by clinical research and development in companies and hospitals, review and approval by regulatory authorities, use of pharmaceuticals in medical institutions, and post-marketing monitoring activities by companies and regulatory authorities. Visiting the global institutions that lead these activities and participating in lectures and discussions with leading researchers and practitioners was extremely enlightening. In university, these pieces are often studied individually, and it is rare to get a comprehensive view of their interconnectedness. Therefore, it was incredibly meaningful to experience firsthand the organic connections among these diverse stakeholders through this program and deepen my understanding.

I also participated in the "Overseas Advanced Practical Training" program around the same time, so I will also speak from the perspective of having experienced both. There is a major difference between the two: this program focuses on how to "create" drugs, whereas the Overseas Advanced Practical Training focuses on how to "use" them. The reason I chose to participate in both programs was that I felt it was necessary to have knowledge of both aspects. In fact, I am still convinced, now as a working professional, that learning both the "creation" and "use" sides of medicine from an international perspective was a huge advantage. If you are interested in both programs, I highly recommend participating.

To those who are interested in this program or are hesitant to apply: At Keio University, many people are here to support you, including faculty and staff in charge of international affairs and senior students who have participated in this program. As you consider participating, I encourage you to gather information from various people to make a choice you are happy with. As a member of the Keio University alumni, I am cheering for you.