E-DRUG: INDICES

["Leesette Turner" <hamis@iafrica.com>]

E-DRUG: INDICES - Networking Drug Information Centres
-----------------------------------------------------

INDICES was set up earlier this year. One of its chief aim is 
networking with drug information units throughout the world.  We hope 
that this will result in a greater sharing of expertise and resources 
whilst supporting developing units.

INDICES has been operating as an electronic conference on the internet 
for a number of months. When the idea of setting up such a group was
first mooted in Berlin, Germany (during the a DSE/WHO meeting in 1995
to draft guidelines for establishing drug information centres (DICs)
in developing countries), INDICES was originally intended to perform 
far more than just an electronic conference.

There are a number of people working in DICs who are presently 
collecting information on drug information units. This work is being 
done on a regional basis and globally. 

The German Foundation for International Development (DSE) is kindly
sponsoring a meeting at the end of this month in Berlin where these 
and other issues will be discussed. It is important that we combine 
resources and try to support and develop a network which will ensure 
maximum use thereof.   

Some of the issues which will be addressed at the Berlin meeting 
include:

- demystification and simplification of drug information,
- promotion of global sharing of drug information,
- a virtual drug information centre
- promoting access to a core group of approved and appropriate drug
  information resources,
- training and standards 
- twinning arrangements

We will make sure that the proceedings of this meeting are once again   
made available. Some copies of the proceedings of the 1995 meeting   
are still available. If e-drug members are interested in receiving   
copies they should mail indices@usa.healthnet.org. If e-drug members   
wish to subscibe or find out more about INDICES they can do so by
mailing at the same address.

Leesette Turner
Moderator, INDICES
PO Box 21638, Kloof St, 8008, SA
tel: +27-21 451158/ 4614129 fax: 451158
Mobile: 083-261-3299
Email: hamis@iafrica.com

--
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'.