The open session was opened by Dr Y. Suzuki, Executive Director, Health Technology and Pharmaceuticals, who stated that this meeting should be seen in the light of other related activities, such as the recent publication of the first list of pre-qualified products and suppliers of medicines for the treatment of HIV/AIDS (1). He reminded participants that all their comments would be noted and that final recommendations on each of the agenda items would be formulated in subsequent private sessions of the Committee.