Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has issued notices allowing the use of clarithromycin, one of macrolide antimicrobial agents, for neutrophilic inflammatory airway diseases on September 28, 2011. The use of clarithromycin for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) has been suggested by the research group led by Professor Mutsuo Yamaya at Tohoku University. The third edition of COPD guideline of Japanese Respiratory Society, revised by Professor Mutsuo Yamaya and other research groups in Japan, has been adopted as a reference of the notices. Other researchers in Europe and the U.S. also confirmed effectiveness of macrolide antibiotics for COPD. This achievement is expected to improve COPD symptoms and decrease death rate from COPD. Hereafter, the dosage and administration of clarithromycin will be adjusted. Its use for Diffuse panbronchiolitis, which was suggested earlier by Professor Emeritus Shoji Kudoh at Nippon Medical School, will be also considered.

More information (Japanese)

[Contact]

Professor Mutsuo Yamaya

Department of Advanced Preventive Medicine for Infectious Disease,

Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine

TEL: +81-22-717-7184

E-mail: myamaya*med.tohoku.ac.jp (Replace * with @)

[Public Relations]

Associate professor Fuji Nagami

Public Relations Office of Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine

Tel: +81-22-717-7908 Fax: +81-22-717-8187

E-mail: f-nagami*med.tohoku.ac.jp (Replace * with @)