An overview is given of the different issues that have been discussed,
with subsequent recommendation. Standardisation of measurement and re
porting of efficacy parameter and side-effects is essential; not only
the number of patients achieving complete seizure controlled or have a
decrease in seizure frequency and severity should be mentioned but al
so the number who dropped out and the reasons therefore. More informat
ion is needed on the teratogeneticy of a drug, wither by performing co
ntrol trials or by registration of all pregnancies with new anti-epile
ptic drugs. Appropriate bio-marker for efficacy and toxicity should be
developed. Health-related quality of life scales, collecting both sub
jective and objective information should be developed and used as comp
limentary tools in understanding more about the disease. A drug that i
mproves the quality of life but is less effective in suppressing seizu
res should be marketed. Finally, pharmaco-economic studies should be e
ncouraged in the field of epilepsy.