The utilization and challenges of Japan's MID-NET® medical information database network in postmarketing drug safety assessments: A summary of pilot pharmacoepidemiological studies

Purpose: To examine the potential role of Medical Information Database Network (MID-NET (R)), a newly established Japanese medical information database network, in postmarketing drug safety assessments through the characterization of its advantages and limitations in five pilot studies. Methods: The pilot studies were designed to address three major objectives in postmarketing drug safety assessments, ie, the examination of actual drug utilization, the impact of safety-related regulatory actions, and drug-associated risks. The five studies were conducted on the following topics: (a) utilization of codeine-containing products and its relationship with respiratory depression, (b) impact of a Dear Healthcare Professional letter on hypocalcemia incidence associated with denosumab (Ranmark (R)) use, (c) risk of acute myocardial infarction associated with antidiabetic drug use, (d) risk of glucose metabolism disorders associated with atypical antipsychotic drug use, and (e) prospective monitoring of abnormal laboratory test results during new drug prescriptions. Results: The pilot studies were successfully conducted and demonstrated the value of MID-NET (R) in postmarketing drug safety assessments. In particular, the ability to utilize laboratory test results as objective clinical indicators is a major advantage of this database. Potential limitations include a relatively small sample size and a lack of patient-level data linkages among hospitals. Conclusions: MID-NET (R) was confirmed to be a valuable database for postmarketing drug safety assessments. The use of laboratory test results to define clinical outcomes may allow more objective and accurate analyses to be conducted. These studies furthered our understanding of the characteristics of MID-NET (R), including its advantages and limitations.