The first International Conference on Improving Use of Medicines (ICIUM) was held in 1997, and brought together a wide range of participants and a wealth of interesting and important materials on how to improve medicines use (see Monitor No. 23, available at: http://www.who.int/medicines/information/infmonitor.shtml). Following this success, ICIUM 2004 will be held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, from 30 March to 2 April 2004. Once again the main organizer is the International Network for Rational Use of Drugs (INRUD), with the local involvement of the Thai INRUD group and the Institute of Health Research at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok. WHO/EDM, in collaboration with Management Sciences for Health, Boston University School of Public Health and Harvard Medical School, are also supporting the event.

ICIUM 2004 aims to build an international consensus on effective and innovative interventions for improving drug use, particularly in developing countries. It will also seek to define a new global research agenda relevant to current conditions and unfolding developments in international health. A range of options and challenges will be explored across six main areas: international policies and systems; national policies, systems and programmes; hospitals, inpatient and specialty care; primary care, focusing on health providers; primary care, focusing on the community; and special topics.

This stimulating, interactive event will be of great interest to policy-makers, health ministry officials, programme managers, clinicians, researchers, advocates and donors. Individuals are encouraged to submit abstracts for presentation at the Conference. A limited number of scholarships, covering registration fees, travel and accommodation will be available to participants from poorer countries who have abstracts accepted or who are key policy-makers.

Further information is available on the Conference web site: www.icium.org or enquiries can be e-mailed to: icium@msh.org