THIS issue of the Monitor features a special supplement on the measurement of medicine prices, and highlights the work of some of the many individuals in the essential medicines field. We carry interviews with the WHO Assistant Director-General responsible for Health Technology and Pharmaceuticals, Dr Vladamir Lepakhin, and with Dr Jonathan Quick, the outgoing Director of the Essential Drugs and Medicines Policy Department. We also introduce WHO's National Medicines Advisers in Africa, who tell us about themselves and their work on improving access to essential medicines in their countries. We hope that both types of article will show the "human face" of essential medicines.

A major part of this Monitor is devoted to the price of medicines. We know that in poor countries most people have to pay for their medicines out-of-pocket, while in richer countries there are often mechanisms such as insurance schemes or government provision of medicines. This means that many people living in poor countries frequently face a choice between buying medicines or buying food or other necessities. So medicine prices do matter! But when people have tried to investigate the reasons for high prices, or to compare prices between sectors in a country, it has been difficult to do so. For many years NGOs have worked on this area and the issue was raised at the WHO Public Interest NGO Pharmaceutical Roundtable in 1998. A working group was formed and began developing a simple but robust method to measure drug prices. Groups in nine countries then used the new methodology in field tests. The last Monitor included some results from South Africa and in this issue we report on more field tests in other countries. The manual published by WHO and Health Action International, Medicine Prices: a new approach to measurement, is a working draft for field-testing and revision, and a final version will probably be issued later this year. Many useful comments have already been received, and a meeting was held recently in London with Patricia Danzon, an American expert, to discuss methodological issues. But your comments are also needed! Please use the manual and send your suggestions to the authors.

This issue also includes an article about the very successful long-term ivermectin donation programme for the control of onchocerciasis. The programme predated the Interagency Guidelines for Drug Donations but fulfils all of the 12 components of these guidelines. The Chief Executive Officer of Merck, who made the decision to provide the ivermectin for as long as necessary, was an unusual and far-sighted individual.

We also include two articles on utilising electronic methods to improve medicines use. One is about using text messaging to remind patients to take their TB medicines and the other is on linking together prescribers in Bosnia, Indonesia, New Zealand, the UK and US to learn how to improve diabetes management. An article about pharmaceutical policy in Balkan countries brings information about this frequently neglected area of the world. As usual we have book reviews, news of events and, sadly, in this issue an obituary for Dr Molly Thomas, one of the essential medicines pioneers.

The Essential Drugs Monitor continues to evolve as the world of essential medicines changes. As always we welcome your comments and feedback.