ANNOUNCING
1st International Conference on Improving Use of Medicines (ICIUM)
State of the Art and Future Directions
Chiang Mai, Thailand
April 1-4, 1997
OVERVIEW
This first ICIUM conference will bring together individuals involved
in investigating and implementing programs to improve the use of
medicines, with an emphasis on developing and recently industrialized
countries. Participants will examine and review the available scientific
evidence about interventions to improve medication use; identify
effective strategies and their implications for policy and programs;
and establish directions for future research.
AUDIENCE
The conference will be of particular interest to pharmaceutical
researchers, policymakers, health program managers, staff from
international agencies and donors, international pharmaceutical
consultants, pharmaceutical industry representatives, and consumer
groups.
FOCUS
* Networking and exchange of experiences among leaders in the
field.
* Presentation of critical reviews and case studies on strategies
for improving use of medicines.
* Preparation of conference proceedings that summarize experiences;
identify important gaps in what is known; propose major future
research topics; and highlight key action steps to implement
effective strategies.
* Dissemination of useful tools, including methods for investigating
medication use; training curricula; informational material; and
models for effective interventions.
* Identification of countries and institutions with particular
strengths in implementing effective programs to improve
medication use.
LIMITED ATTENDANCE
250 participants
Preference given to those with an accepted abstract
VENUE, DATES, FEES
Westin Chiangmai Hotel
Chiang Mai, Thailand, April 1-4, 1997
Registration fee: US$ 225 (US$ 200 before January 1, 1997)
ABOUT THE LOCATION
The ICIUM Conference will take place in Chiang Mai, known as "The
Rose of Northern Thailand." Chiang Mai is Thailand's second largest
city and is located one hour's flight north of the capital city of
Bangkok. The area around Chiang Mai offers numerous opportunities
for sight-seeing, shopping, and recreation. The Westin Chiangmai is a
deluxe hotel near the city's business and shopping districts operated
by Westin Hotels and Resorts.
CONFERENCE SPONSORSHIP
* The conference is being organized by a consortium of Thai
organizations, including the Thailand Core Group of the
International Network for Rational Use of Drugs (INRUD) and the
Food and Drug Administration of the Ministry of Public Health,
in collaboration with leading Thai universities, professional
societies, and pharmaceutical associations.
* International sponsorship includes INRUD, the World Health
Organization Action Programme on Essential Drugs, and the U.S.
Pharmacopoeial Convention.
CONFERENCE COMPONENTS
* PLENARY SESSIONS: Presentation of critical reviews of existing
experience and key case studies; presentation and discussion of
results from small group sessions; development of conference
summary statement and recommendations.
* SMALL GROUP SESSIONS: Presentation of case studies; extensive
discussion and debate about experiences; development of synthesis
statements and action steps at the international, national, and
local level.
* POSTER SESSIONS: All accepted case studies will be summarized in
posters, which will be on display throughout the entire meeting.
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
* Optional pre-conference STUDY VISITS will be arranged for
participants interested in learning about activities to improve
pharmaceutical use in Thailand. Information about possible study
visits will be provided with registration materials.
* Optional pre- or post-conference SATELLITE WORKSHOPS will be
arranged on request to focus on special pharmaceutical topics or
to enable meetings among specific interest groups. Requests to
arrange satellite workshops should be received by December 31,
1997.
REGISTRATION
To receive registration materials, please send a message to the
conference organizers at:
ICIUM Meeting, Conference Secretariat
The College of Public Health, Chulalongkorn University
10th Floor, Institute Building 3
Soi Chulalongkorn 62, Phayathai Road
Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 THAILAND
TEL: (66-2) 218 8187-8 FAX: (66-2) 255 6046
E-MAIL: chitr@chulkn.chula.ac.th
CALL FOR PAPERS
ICIUM invites the submission of case studies that (1) describe the
effects of an intervention or a policy on drug use in a developing or
newly industrialized country; or (2) examine innovative methods or tools
for studying patterns and determinants of drug use in these settings.
Descriptive studies will only be considered if they present useful new
methodologies.
A structured abstract form is included with the registration materials
available from the conference organizers at the address listed above.
This form must be used when submitting case studies for consideration.
The deadline for submission is November 1, 1996.
Case studies should be DATA-ORIENTED, and describe research,
interventions, programs, policy analyses, or country experiences in the
area of improving use of medicines. All case studies will be displayed
as posters throughout the meeting. Many authors will also be invited
to give 5-10 minute oral presentations of their case studies in small
group sessions. Special consideration will be given to case studies
that address one of the following priority questions.
1. Measurement And Methods in Medication Use Research:
* What are valid and reliable methodologies for measuring drug
utilization?
* What are the best methods to study the influence of socio-cultural
factors on medication use?
* How can standardized indicators be used to study public and
private sector drug use?
* What are the most useful qualitative methods for studying
medication use?
2. Improving Medication Use by Health Providers:
* How effective are clinical guidelines and standard treatments in
developing countries?
* What is the most successful in-service training strategy to
improve provider behavior?
* How effective are drug information centers or drug bulletins in
improving medication use?
* How does pharmaceutical company promotion affect prescribing?
3. Improving Medication Use in the Community:
* What strategies can improve medication advice and sales in
private pharmacies?
* What is the most effective format for patient education about
medication?
* Does promoting appropriate medication practices in the media
improve use?
* What strategies work to improve patient compliance with
therapeutic recommendations?
4. Using Economic Forces and Pharmaceutical Policies to Improve
Medication Use:
* How can economic forces be used to promote appropriate use?
* How do generic purchasing or prescribing regulations affect
medication use?
* What are the positive and negative impacts of product banning or
withdrawal?
* Does restricting use of certain medications to specific providers
improve their use?