DISCUSSION OF THE AED WORKSHOP

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.