Rational Use of medicines is at the core of pharmaceutical best practices. It requires that "Patients receive medications appropriate to their clinical needs, in doses that meet their own individual requirements, for an adequate period of time, and at the lowest cost to them and their community."

In November 2006, EPN organized an essay writing competition amongst its Network members, to promote rational use of medicines. The entrants to the competition were expected to write an essay describing how irrational use of medicines was happening at organizational or country level and suggest practical, achievable methods that could be used to effect a lasting change to lead to rational use of medicines. The competition officially closed in January 2007 with thirty entries received. The articles featured in this special edition newsletter are the winning essays from this competition.

In this issue:

• Editorial
• Who’s murdering "Rational Use of Medicines"?
• Supporting local women in practising rational use of medicines in Nigeria
• Rational use of medicines in India
• Pains of the little girl
• Bringing rationality back into medicine use
• The fear of stigma