# E-DRUG: Drug Information for developing countries **URL:** \ **Category:** e-drug\ **Created:** [March 12, 1997, 4:47am UTC](https://talk.edrugplus.org/t/e-drug-drug-information-for-developing-countries/494 "1997-03-12T04:47:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![nlb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/6de8d8/32.png) [@nlb](https://talk.edrugplus.org/u/nlb)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 1997, 4:47am UTC](https://talk.edrugplus.org/t/e-drug-drug-information-for-developing-countries/494/1 "1997-03-12T04:47:59Z")
Dear Mr. Woods, I was very interested to read your ambitious proposal and would like to respond by telling you a bit about what the U.S. Pharmacopeia(USP) is doing with developing countries. In a cooperative agreement with USAID, USP is working through the Rational Pharmaceuticals Management Project (RPM) to provide up to date, unbiased drug information to three developing countries. As you may be aware, USP establishes the manufacturing standards for pharmaceuticals in the U.S. Although the USP is a private, not for profit organization, our standards are enforced by our national regulatory body, the FDA. USP maintains a large drug information database, the USP DI, which is provided annually in hard copy with monthly updates to subscribers. The DI is now available in an electronic version. By providing the the DI in SGML format to developing countries we are able to assist them in adapting it for the local environment and producing spin-off products such as drug formularies, standard treatment guidelines, etc. Through RPM we are also providing technical assistance to establish drug information centers and conduct workshops on drug information and rational drug use. In addition, to RPM we have been able to negotiate commercial agreements to translate the DI into Spanish, Portuguese and Russian. Although our agreement with USAID may end in a few years, we are interested in working with other organizations and countries to continue these activities. Sincerely, Nancy L. Blum, M.P.H. International Programs Coordinator Division of Information Development U.S. Pharmacopeia 12601 Twinbrook Parkway Rockville, MD 20851 U.S.A. -- Send mail for the `E-Drug' conference to `e-drug@usa.healthnet.org'. Mail administrative requests to `majordomo@usa.healthnet.org'. For additional assistance, send mail to: `owner-e-drug@usa.healthnet.org'.