The "9th Everyone's Choice Pharmacy Awards 2026," open to pharmacies nationwide, will be held for the first time in two years. Entries will be accepted through Monday, August 31.

~Discovering innovative ideas from the patient’s perspective and contributions to the local community, and promoting initiatives to become a “preferred pharmacy” nationwide~

2026.08.13 14:15

一般社団法人日本ウェルネスプロフェッショナル協会／YAKUNOWA

The Japan Wellness Professionals Association (YAKUNOWA), a general incorporated association, in collaboration with the Pharmacy Support Association, a general incorporated association, will host the “9th Everyone’s Choice Pharmacy Awards 2026”—the first such event in two years. Entries are being accepted from pharmacies nationwide until Monday, August 31.

第7回　みんなで選ぶ薬局アワード

The 7th “Everyone’s Choice Pharmacy Awards”

Approximately 60,000 pharmacies across Japan’s 47 prefectures.

Each and every one of them embodies a commitment to patients and a dedication to supporting their local communities.

The “Everyone’s Choice Pharmacy Awards” is a platform to showcase these efforts nationwide and to select and honor pharmacies that are paving the way for the future from among the approximately 60,000 pharmacies.

“I didn’t know pharmacies like this existed.”

That’s the kind of reaction we’ve heard from many participants and visitors at past award ceremonies.

A pharmacy is not just a place to pick up medication.

They are places that stand by each and every patient, support their health, and foster a sense of security in the community.

However, it cannot be said that this value has yet been fully communicated to society.

Therefore, the “Everyone’s Choice Pharmacy Awards,” being held for the first time in two years, is relaunching as a platform to widely share the ingenuity and challenges that pharmacies across the country have built up over time, and to convey the new value of pharmacies to society.

Furthermore, the pharmacist community YAKUNOWA is participating as a co-organizer this time.

Together with this nationwide network that supports the challenges and growth of pharmacists, we will showcase the initiatives of more pharmacies than ever before to the entire country.

Share the challenges that only your pharmacy can take on with the whole country.

[Background]

Do patients “choose” their pharmacy?

Or do they go

“Because it’s close,”

“because it’s where I take my prescriptions”

Across the country,

・Pharmacies where patients feel comfortable seeking advice

・Pharmacies that support health promotion

・Pharmacies that collaborate with the community to create new value

・Pharmacies where the entire staff works together to create their ideal pharmacy

However, these efforts rarely reach beyond the pharmacy walls.

That is precisely why this award aims to publicize these pharmacies’ efforts to society and change the perception that “all pharmacies are the same.”

To make pharmacies “the go-to choice.”

That is the mission of the “Everyone’s Choice Pharmacy Award.”

[Benefits of Participating]

(1) Promote your initiatives nationwide

You can convey the value of your pharmacy to a wide audience, including patients, healthcare professionals, pharmacy students, and pharmacy owners.

It creates opportunities to raise awareness, prompting people to think,

It creates opportunities to build that kind of recognition.

(2) Enhance Trust and Brand Value Within the Industry

Receiving recognition from special judges, healthcare professionals, and the pharmacist community will improve your pharmacy’s credibility and brand strength.

This also leads to benefits in recruitment, healthcare collaboration, and positive recognition from the local community.

(3) Fostering staff pride and organizational strength

Competing for the award provides an opportunity to reexamine the pharmacy’s philosophy and daily efforts.

“Our work has value.”

This sense of fulfillment fosters staff pride and a sense of unity within the organization.

[Schedule and How to Participate]

■ Entry Period

Saturday, August 1, 2026 – Monday, August 31, 2026

■ Selection Schedule

September: First-round screening begins

October: Second Round of Selection Begins

November 7 (Sat): Finals

■ Final Competition Overview

Date and Time: Saturday, November 7, 2026, 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM

Venue: Nakano Ward Office, Nakano-ba (Nakano Ward, Tokyo)

Participation Format: In-person

■ How to Register

Please register via the entry form on the official YAKUNOWA LINE account.

https://liff.line.me/2006832187-G6dwq93M/landing?follow=%40438veigs&lp=R2XWQ5&liff_id=2006832187-G6dwq93M

[Eligible Pharmacies and Initiatives Sought]

We welcome any creative initiatives—whether they involve efforts for patients, ways to deepen connections with the local community, methods to boost staff motivation, or initiatives related to home healthcare, health consultations, preventive medicine, and more.

We look forward to entries from the following individuals!

・Those who want the general public to learn about their pharmacy’s initiatives

・Those who want to share their pharmacy’s initiatives with the whole country

・Those who want to inspire children, students, and pharmacists with dreams and hope

・Those who simply want to find like-minded individuals with interesting and passionate ideas

[Evaluation Criteria]

Our association will make a comprehensive evaluation based on the following criteria

○ Key Criteria

Patient Perspective

Background and Motivation

○ Additional Evaluation Criteria

Social Impact

Reproducibility

Originality

Future Potential

[Restarting After Two Years: What Has Changed?]

For the 9th edition, the YAKUNOWA pharmacist community will join the General Incorporated Association for Pharmacy Support as a new co-organizer.

This will enable us to organize an even more robust awards program by leveraging a broader network of pharmacists, diverse perspectives, and nationwide outreach capabilities. It will serve as a platform where the challenges and ingenuity of pharmacies across the country will resonate with more people than ever before.

薬剤師コミュニティYAKUNOWA　地域貢献事業中野絆フェスタ2025年の様子

Scenes from the YAKUNOWA Pharmacist Community’s “Nakano Kizuna Festa 2025” Community Contribution Project

[Call for Entries]

■ Supporting Companies and Organizations: We are seeking companies and organizations to sponsor the event. We are also accepting individual sponsorships.

Sponsorship Information

https://forms.gle/WhLGFv6hDSdE8KF79

■ Organizing Committee Staff

We are looking for staff members who share our vision and are willing to help.

Our team includes a diverse range of members, from students to working professionals, and we hold monthly meetings.

[Past Events]

8th "Everyone’s Choice Pharmacy Award" (November 10, 2024)

Held at the Fukutake Learning Theater, The University of Tokyo

Official Report: https://www.onenationworkingtogether.org/64851

7th “Everyone’s Choice Pharmacy Award” (November 12, 2023)

Held at the Fukutake Learning Theater, The University of Tokyo

Official Report: https://www.onenationworkingtogether.org/64180