The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7214 p342
7 September 2002

Society summary

Society to run safe medicines session at BA Festival of Science

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society Britain is holding a session entitled "Safe medicines for patients: pharmacists, the scientist in the high street" at this year's Festival of Science organised by the British Association for the Advancement of Science, which is being held from 8 to 13 September at the University of Leicester.

The Society's session, on the afternoon of 12 September, will begin with a presentation by Emma Bunn (dietitian, Diabetes UK) on what patients want from their medicines.

Hemant Patel (a member of the Society's Council) will speak on the roles of diagnostic testing, medicines management, chronic disease management and the expert patient in getting the most out of medicines.

Dr Paul Debenham (Laboratory of the Government Chemist) will describe how genetic information can be used to choose the right medicine and dose for each patient and thus reduce the incidence of adverse effects.

Finally, Professor Bill Dawson (Bionet) will discuss the use of genomics and genetics in developing new medicines that are safe and effective.

Further information about the festival can be obtained from the BA (tel 020 7973 3052; website www.the-ba.net).