TOWARDS THE SAFER USE OF MEDICINES

In Britain the tools are now available to provide better information o n safety of medicines in both hospital and community settings, and thi s could be done at relatively modest cost. The needs of patients, doct ors, and pharmacists are changing; although more research is needed, s uch information as is presently available must be both better and more widely publicised and understood. Universities, government, the pharm aceutical industry, and educated journalism all have an important part to play in this process.