A cold and influenza monitoring system has been launched by Smithkline Beecham. National and regional information is accessible to both the public and health care professionals through the media and internet (www.charlottestreet.com). SB says that the service provides a weekly measurement of the incidence of cold and influenza in the UK through data from GPs, pharmacists, hospitals, schools and employers. The service will run until March 27 next year. Warner-Lambert will also be running its cold and influenza forcasting system this winter (PJ, September 4 p340).